UMES Concludes Road Trip Against the SSU Lady Tigers

The women's basketball team finishes their seven-game road trip versus Savannah State University

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland  – Tomorrow, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women’s basketball team wraps up their seven-game road trip as they head to Savannah, Ga. to face the Lady Tigers of Savannah State University inside Tiger Arena. Game-time is 6:00 p.m. (EST)

LAST TIMEOUT

In their 50th meeting, the Lady Hawks dropped their conference opener to South Carolina State University (SC State), 63-50. UMES scored the first bucket of the second half on an offensive put back from senior Shanyce Stewart (Mount Vernon, N.Y.), 27-23, but the Lady Bulldogs controlled the tempo as they went on a 12-4 run with less than 11 minutes in regulation, 39-25. Within the next seven minutes, the Lady Hawks climbed back into the game after back-to-back free-throws by Shawnee Sweeney (Chester, Va.) to cut the deficit to single-digits, 49-40. SC State withstood UMES’ late surge as they finished the contest hitting their free-throws down the stretch to win, 63-50.

TOP PERFORMERS

Jessica Long (Fort Washington, Md.) paced the Hawk attack with 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Senior Breonna Evans (Melfa, Va.) recorded a career-high eight points, including two triples, while Ashleigh Claybrooks (Manassas, Va.) finished with seven points and 10 boards in a losing effort.

Other notable Hawk performances included Stewart recording her 12^th career 10+ rebound game with a game-high 18 boards. With her efforts, she surpasses Adobi Agbasi with the second-most 10+ rebound performances since the 2005-06 season, trailing only April McBride (39).

MATCHUP PREVIEW

Tomorrow’s matchup is the eight meeting between these two institutions where UMES leads the all-times series, 5-2, including last season’s overtime victory over the Lady Tigers, 55-44. In that contest, four Lady Hawks scored in double-digits, led by Sweeney recording 12 points. Alexis Udoji (Randolph, Mass.) was one block shy of posting a triple-double as she finished with 11 points, 12 boards, and nine blocks. Savannah State’s Erin Hogue notched a double-double in the last meeting with 13 points and 13 boards in 41 minutes of action.

This season, the Lady Tigers are among the top the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) leaders in field goal percentage, shooting nearly 39% from the floor, led by senior guard Ezinne Kalu. She leads the team in multiple categories, including points (14.8), steals (2.3), and minutes (29.4). Other notable Lady Tiger includes Charmaine Greene as she was selected to the 2013-14 MEAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Team.

For the Lady Hawks, they remain among the conference leaders in rebounds-per-game (47.3) and three-pointers-per-game (6.5). Long leads the team in scoring (14.7) and assists (4.7), which is third in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Stewart and Udoji provide the frontcourt presence as they are among the top rebounders, averaging 9.7 and 8.8 boards-per-game, respectively. Sweeney continues her hot streak as she is currently 14^th in the nation, averaging 3.2 three-pointers-per-contests. Click Here to view UMES game notes.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

On Jan. 11^th, the Lady Hawks return to the William P. Hytche Athletic Center to face Norfolk State University. Game-time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (EST)

For complete recaps, results and news of Hawk athletics, please visit www.umeshawks.com.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS