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Feb. 18, 2008
NORFOLK, Va. - In a bit of a wild finish, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Hawks could not hold on in a 68-61 loss to Norfolk State University (NSU) Monday night in Echols hall. Both teams combined to shoot under 50 percent from the free throw line. After finding themselves down by as many as 14 points in the first half, UMES (4-23, 2-10 MEAC) came storming back on a 20-4 run in the second period to take a six point lead on a Ishmawiyl McFadden (Philadelphia, Pa./Simon Gratz H.S.) jumper with 9:18 left in the game. However, NSU (14-10, 10-2 MEAC) would respond with a seven point run of their own that was capped off by a Larry Vickers layup to tie the game at 50 all with 7:09 to play. Vickers would finish with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds on NSU's senior night. The Hawks answered right back as Gary Lee (Flint, Mich./Northwestern University) made a timely field goal to put them back up 52-50 with just under six minutes remaining. Lee matched his career-high, finishing with 17 points, all in the second period, on 50 percent shooting from the floor. Following a trade of scores, Ed Tyson (Baltimore, Md./Walbrook H.S.) would have the opportunity to put the Hawks up four as he was sent to the free throw line, but instead in a rare occasion he missed both and it was the Spartans, who came in tied atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) standings, that would respond as Tony Murphy nailed a three-pointer giving them a 55-54 advantage. Neither team was able to capitalize on key opportunities over the next two minutes until Corey Lyons drove down the lane for a lay-in that put NSU up three with 2:48 left in regulation. After a missed UMES layup, Murphy would break into the open court and was intentionally fouled by Denzel Jackson (Philadelphia, Pa./Lincoln H.S.), giving him the opportunity for a four point play. Murphy converted one-of-two free throws to put the Spartans up 60-54 in the closing minutes of the game. "That play hurt us and it was a very critical point in the game," said Smith. Marc Davis (Baltimore, Md./Walbrook H.S.) would convert a three-point play on the ensuing possession that was followed by a Tyson steal, however; UMES missed a shot from downtown in the final minute, giving NSU the ball back and a chance to seal the win at the charity stripe. Yet, Murphy would convert on only one-of-two again, giving the Hawks one last chance. In perhaps the most bizarre set of circumstances, Tyson, a 76 percent free throw shooter coming into the game, would miss another pair ending the UMES comeback bid. NSU went on a 15-0 run in the first half that concluded with a Murphy layup to give them their biggest lead of the game at 29-15. Tyson trimmed the margin to eight, 31-23, heading into the break on a three-point shot. "I told the team at halftime they were playing good defense, but they needed to grab rebounds to close it out," said Smith. Indeed they did after being outrebounded in the first frame; the Hawks came away with a 23-19 edge in the second half and made it close in both total rebounds (43-39) and offensive rebounds (17-15) at the end of the game. UMES was led by Davis who finished with a team-high 19 points and five assists, while Tyson added 17 points. BJ Nimocks (Detroit, Mich./Cloud County C.C.) grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds. Murphy, a senior, led all scorers with 25 points, including five three-pointers, in his final home game. Lyons poured in 14 points to go along with seven rebounds, while Michael Deloach dished out a team-high seven assists. Both teams struggled at the line where UMES knocked down just 46.7 percent and the Spartans only 45.5 percent. The Hawks did not fare much better from the floor and three-point range where they converted 38.3 and 30 percent respectively, while NSU finished slightly better at 43.3 and 37.5 percent from both spots. The Hawks were outscored in the paint (36-22) and off second chance opportunities (15-7), but held the advantage in the turnover department (21-18) and points off turnovers (25-13). "A more experienced team might have won tonight but that is something you must contend with when you have such a young team," said Smith. "We have found ways to keep ourselves in the game, now we just have to find opportunities to close out games. UMES will return to Princess Anne for homecoming 2008 as they welcome Florida A&M to the William P. Hytche Athletic Center on Saturday, February 23. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 E.T. and can be heard on WTGM-AM 960 The Team or live on the internet at www.umeshawks.com. |
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