SUMMARY

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore jumped out to an early lead and, despite playing tightly contested up until the final minutes of the contest, secured a comfortable 56-48 win against the visiting Delaware State Hornets. 

THE SCORE 

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (18–13, 11–3 MEAC) — 56 

Delaware State Hornets (7–21, 4-9) — 48 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

The entire first quarter belonged to the Hawks as they dominated possession and the scoreboard running out to a 13-0 lead in the first 2:38. Each side hit a standstill, however, from that point until the 2:43 mark when the Hornets scored their first points of the game. While Delaware State put up six in the waning minutes of the first quarter, a Kalise Hill jumper and Dakieran Turner layup secured a 17-6 lead at the end of the frame. 

Lainey Allen got the scoring started for UMES in the second quarter with back-to-back layups to extend the Hawks' lead to 21-6. Those two baskets in the first 2:01 were the only scores for UMES in the quarter. Though, Delaware Score also struggled to get to the basket as the Hornets were limited to six points as UMES took a 21-12 lead into the halftime break. 

The Hornets cut into the Hawks' lead to begin the third quarter on a 6-0 run before Turner hit a jumper to break up the Hornets' pace. Delaware State briefly took the lead at the 5:28 mark, 25-23, before Brianna Barnes leveled the score 22 seconds later. The third quarter continued to fall along the contested course through the remainder of the frame as the scored was knotted at 35 apiece headed into the fourth quarter. 

Turner and Ashanti Lynch gave UMES the early lead in the final quarter with a quick pair of baskets to take a 39-35 lead. Though Delaware State cut into the lead with a three, Dayshawna Carter kept the Hawks ahead with another layup for UMES until Delaware State hit its second consecutive three to tie the score at 41. The score remained tightly. Contested until the 4:03 mark when Lynch hit a layup and Barnes knocked down a jumper to give UMES a five-point lead. From there on, the Hornets came as close as four points down, but the Hawks put away Delaware State on a 6-2 run in the final 2:30.

BY THE NUMBERS 

Ashanti Lynch led UMES in scoring with 12 points while she added four rebounds to her efforts along with three steals and a block. 

Kalise Hill and Lainey Allen each scored nine points. Allen added five rebounds, a steal and an assist. Hill grabbed a pair of steals to go along with three assists and a rebound. 

The Hawks forced 30 turnovers, including 14 steals. Lynch and Brianna Barnes led the Hawks with three steals apiece while Hill, Allen, Dakieran Turner and Kaliya Perry each grabbed two. 

UMES made the most of its free throw attempts, hitting on 81.3% (13-of-16) of its shots while Delaware State finished 5-of-11 (45.5%). 

As a team, UMES shot 43.8% (21-of-48) while Delaware State finished 38.3% (18-of-47). 

UP NEXT

The Hawks head to Norfolk, Virginia, for the MEAC Homecoming Basketball Tournament and will play Delaware State in Game 2 of the bracket at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11.