SUMMARY

DURHAM, North Carolina – In a makeup game that had previously been postponed due to weather, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore lost a hotly contested matchup against North Carolina Central. The loss snaps the Hawks' five-game win streak they earned to open MEAC play.

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (12-11, 5-1) - 62

North Carolina Central Eagles (4-14, 1-4) - 69

HOW IT HAPPENED

Jumping out from the start, the Hawks took the early lead on a made free throw from Kalise Hill and another from Ashanti Lynch before Dayshawna Carter put UMES up 4-0 within the first minute and a half of the game. The Hawks continued to build their lead with a jumper from Hill before the Eagles scored their first points of the game. While NCCU managed to score a handful of points through the next several minutes and cut into the Hawks' advantage, UMES maintained its hold on the lead as it outscored the host team 16-10 through the remainder of the quarter. Desi Taylor punctuated the Hawks' lead in the first by closing out the quarter with a deep three to secure the 22-12 lead.

Neither side managed to get to the basket through nearly two minutes to open the second quarter before Lainey Allen made her presence felt in the paint with a layup to take a 24-12 lead. Each side traded free throws after an NCCU basket before Carter helped widen the Hawks' lead with back-to-back baskets in the middle of the quarter to take a 30-17 lead. Despite the UMES hold on the lead, NCCU mounted a 9-0 run over the next minute and a half to carve into the Hawks' lead, 30-26. Taylor, though, drained her second three of the game to lift the Hawks before each side traded baskets. UMES exited the half maintaining its lead, though it was reduced to one point, 35-34, as the Eagles scored six points in the final two minutes.

The third quarter played out similar to the second as the Hawks were outscored 19-12 coming out of the halftime break. For the first time in the game, the Eagles took the lead, 36-35, to begin the half with an early basket. Lynch, however, regained the lead with a driving layup to push the score to 37-36. The first nine minutes of the quarter was a series of traded baskets as neither side led by more than three until the final 1:35. Heading into the fourth quarter, NCCU took the lead 53-47.

The final quarter went the way of UMES as Carter kicked off the frame by converting an and-one opportunity 30 seconds in to close the score to three. Time and again UMES battled to keep the Hawks within reach of the lead, cutting the lead down to one point a couple times within the final four minutes. However, turnovers and missed shots plagued both sides in the final minutes allowing the lead for NCCU to build through free throws despite the Hawks cutting the lead to four on another three from Taylor with 49 seconds left.

BY THE NUMBERS

Three Hawks hit double digits scoring with Brianna Barnes leading the way with 15 points. Desi Taylor and Ashanti Lynch scored 12 and 11, respectively.

Dakieran Turner led UMES in rebounds with 10, marking her sixth game this season with double digit rebounds. For the game, UMES and NCCU were nearly even for rebounds, though the Eagles held a 40-37 advantage.

This marked the most turnovers in a game for the Hawks this season with 34. Though, UMES also forced the second most turnovers by an opponent in a game this season with 31 committed by the Eagles.

Both sides were nearly identical in points off turnovers as UMES scored 29 to North Carolina Central's 28.

NEXT UP

The Hawks remain on the road with a 5:30 p.m. matchup Wednesday at South Carolina State.