Summary
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks earned a win in a rematch against North Carolina Central, 58-55, to push the Hawks to nine MEAC wins this season.
The Score
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (16-13, 9-3) 58
North Carolina Central Eagles (8-18, 4-8) 55
How It Happened
At the beginning of the game, Ashanti Lynch scored a free throw and a layup to put the Hawks up 3-0 in the first 30 seconds. The Hawks' aggressive defense also contributed to limiting the Eagles' scoring opportunities, keeping the pressure high as the Hawks outscored the Eagles 18-11 through the first. As the first quarter progressed, the Hawks maintained their lead with quick ball movement, going on a 6-0 run midway through the quarter before NCCU was able to answer with a basket of its own. Dakieran Turner capped the first quarter with a pair of free throws before NCCU answered with a pair of its own.
Lynch put the Hawks up 20-11 with a layup to start the second quarter. UMES scored the bulk of its points in the second quarter with five more points coming to put the Hawks up 25-17 with 6:09 remaining in the half before keeping quiet until the final minutes. Dayshawna Carter capped the Hawks' scoring efforts at the 1:37 mark with another basket while UMES took the tightly contested lead, 27-26, into the halftime break.
To start the second half, NCCU took the lead, 28-27, before Kaliya Perry answered for UMES to retake the lead, 29-28. The game continued to be a back-and-forth battle as both teams traded the score. UMES fell behind late in the quarter as NCCU went on a 9-3 run to end the final 3:38 of the third, as the Hawks trailed 36-43 to head into the final quarter.
Lynch scored the Hawks six unanswered points to begin the fourth quarter as Jailynn Clayton finished the 8-0 start to the frame with another jumper just over two minutes in. Free throws from Brianna Barnes and Jaida Cameron helped push UMES further ahead midway through quarter as the pair combined for 10 total points to give UMES the 54-45 lead. The Eagles responded with a run of their own as they retook the lead by a point with 2:24 remaining. Cameron, Barnes and Turner answered back with free throws, closing the game 58-55.
By The Numbers
Ashanti Lynch recorded a double-double for the Hawks, leading UMES in scoring with 21 points and rebounding with 11 boards. She also dished out an assist while shooting 35.7% from the field.
Both sides were knotted in rebounds with each team pulling down 46 boards through the game. In addition to Lynch's 11, Dakieran Turner and Kaliya Perry each grabbed eight rebounds while Brianna Barnes grabbed six.
The Hawks stole the ball eight times through the game with Kalise Hill, Jaida Clayton and Barnes each notched two while Turner and Jaida Cameron each grabbed one.
UMES was outshot from an efficiency standpoint by NCCU as the Eagles sank 35.1% of their shots to the Hawks' 25.9%.
Though the Eagles were more efficient from the field, the Hawks set the pace at the free throw line, sinking 74.3% of their 35 attempts to the Eagles' 56.5% on 23 attempts.
Next Up
The Hawks remain at home for their senior day on Saturday, February 28, against South Carolina State at 2 p.m.
Â
