UMES struggles with turnovers in loss to NCCU
 


 
SUMMARY


The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks struggled with turnovers in a 77-73 loss to North Carolina Central on Monday night
 

 
THE SCORE

North Carolina Central Eagles (12-16; 8-5) - 73
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (9-21; 5-8) - 77
 
 
 

 
GAME BREAKDOWN

 
Monday's MEAC battle began with UMES and NC Central trading the lead with the score tied four times through the first ten minutes of play. Despite nine turnovers in the first 11 minutes of the ball game, the Hawks managed to claw their way to a 15-14 lead after a fastbreak lay in by Dorion Staples.


Baskets by Joseph Locandro and Zion Obanla helped the Hawks build the lead up to 19-14 by the 7:31 mark of the first half. Locandro continued to provide a shooting spark off the bench with a three pointer and midrange jumper to help the Hawks up the lead to 27-16 with 4:38 left in the half. NCCU responded with a 7-0 run to bring the Eagles to within four, 27-23. A three pointer from Staples ended the NCCU run and gave UMES a 30-23 lead at the break.

 
Obanla provided a lift for the Hawks to open the second half by making four of five shots from the field including a finishing dunk on a lob from Locandro to put the Hawks up 42-36 with 11:02 to play. The Eagles responded as eight straight points from Gage Lattimore helped NCCU pull to within two, 49-47, by the 7:38 mark.


Three balls from Dionte Johnson gave NCCU its first lead of the half, 54-52, and the Eagles managed to build a lead up to 62-56 with 3:36 left. UMES responded with a lay in by Michael Teal. After drawing on offensive foul on Johnson, Obanla drew a NCCU foul and made one of two free throws to bring the Hawks within two, 62-59. Johnson answered on the other end with a three ball in the corner to put his team back up by six. Teal hit a jumper for the Hawks to bring UMES back within four but a Lattimore three pointer upped the Eagle lead to seven with 1:56 remaining and the Hawks never fully recovered.


The Eagles maintained an eight-point cushion after two Lattimore free throws with 27 seconds left. A three pointer from Locandro brought the deficit down to five and a late basket by Teal brought the Hawks to within three with two seconds left. After a foul by the Hawks, another free throw by Lattimore sealed the four-point victory for NCCU.
 
 
 

 
BY THE NUMBERS

 
NCCU scored 29 points off turnovers compared to 18 by the Hawks.

 
Zion Obanla came off the bench to lead UMES with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Michael Teal added 15 points and five assists. Dorion Staples finished with 11 points while Joseph Locandro contributed with 10 points.

 
UMES committed 23 turnovers on the night.

 
Gage Lattimore led NCCU with 23 points along with six assists. Dionte Johnson added 15 points and four assists. Kyric Davis scored 14 points while Kelechi Okworogwo finished with 12 points.

 
The Hawks lost both games to NCCU this season by a combined six points.

 
Familiarity was prevalent between the two teams in the Hytche Center on Monday. UMES head coach Cleo Hill, Jr. as well as UMES sports information staffer Robert Furges are NCCU graduates. NCCU guard Dionte Johnson and forward Kelechi Okworogwo are former Hawks.
 
 
 

 
QUOTES FROM UMES HEAD COACH CLEO HILL, JR

 
"Turnovers against NC Central's three quarter and half court press was the difference tonight. Our execution just was not there. We also did not play their shooters very well. They were able to get free and ended up getting hot. I also thought the tougher team won tonight.

 
"We turned the ball over in both games against them. While the last game was a battle and we made timely shots, tonight was a little different. We had to battle back at the end. I think tonight was more of a struggle to guard their shooters and slashers."

 
"We have to focus and do better to execute on both ends of the ball going into our last regular season game on Thursday. We want to get a game under our belts before the conference tournament. I want our guys to play with a high level of energy as it will be the last time most of them play in Hytche."

 
 
NEXT GAME

 
The Hawks conclude the regular season at home on Thursday against Delaware State.