Jon Teitel's Interview Series: Maryland-Eastern Shore Legend Talvin Skinner

University of Maryland-Eastern Shore Talvin Skinner is a MEAC Hall of Famer (2002), UMES Athletic Hall of Fame inductee (2010); an all-conference selection (72-73 & 73-74) as well as the MEAC Tournament's Most Outstanding Performer (1974) . Skinner led the Hawks in rebounding in his final two seasons; was the 1973 NAIA Tournament's leading rebounder, and totaled nearly 400 points and rebounds the same year. Skinner's final year saw him post 456 points and grab 353 boards. He still stands eighth all-time in NAIA rebounding. Skinner was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics in 1974 in the third round and played under NBA Hall of Famer, (Coach) Bill Russell. The 6-5/195 forward is from Berlin, Maryland.

In the most recent installment of his series of interviews on players who are among the best pros to come out of their particular schools, CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) great Talvin Skinner. Skinner was the leader of a UMES squad in 1974 that led the nation in scoring with an average of 96.7 points per game without the benefit of a three-point shot, and they also became the first HBCU to take part in the NIT.

Jon Teitel: In 1974 your team went 27-2 and you were named conference tournament MVP. How were you able to play your best when it mattered the most?

Talvin Skinner: Now you are starting to get serious, because the team that we played for the championship was Morgan State, which was Marvin Webster's team (which is kind of touching, because we lost Marvin in 2009). They had beaten us earlier in the year when we were 20-0, and had just became nationally ranked as the #20 team in the AP poll as a Division II school. They played a hard road trip from North Carolina through DC and back to Baltimore (four games in five days), which is something that I do not think that many basketball analysts or fans are aware of.

Basketball history, baby; I do not know if that has ever happened before. As a team, we were determined that they would pay and pay dearly. We beat them twice in 2 weeks by convincing margins, and took the championship. It was not just me: our team does not get the credit that it deserves. We did something that may never be done again in the MEAC or at any level of basketball (leading the nation in scoring with 96.7 PPG despite no three-point shot), and they did not even give us an invite to the NCAA tourney. I guess to answer your question: my teammates needed me to play my best.

JT: You played for Coach John Bates, who was the first coach to take a Historically Black College to the NIT. What was it like to play for Bates, and how big a deal was it to go to the NIT?

TS: Going to the NIT was okay by me as a senior, as well as for the other five seniors on the team. Our eyes were on the BIG dance; we had already proved that we belonged by playing in the then-64 team NAIA tourney in Kansas City and going to the 1973 national championship game against Guilford College (who had World B. Free & ML Carr: you know their legacies). Although we lost by three points, we felt that we could play with anyone in the country, and our records spoke for themselves.

As far as Coach Bates is concerned, I have nothing but respect fro him as a man and as a person, because he understood talent and he trusted us. He did not try to restrain that "something special" that he knew we had; as a matter of fact, he pushed the envelope. However, I can honestly say that he loved us as people: we were not some meal ticket to him who he was trying to exploit for his future. The funny thing is that it just worked out that way for him: it could not have happened to a better person. He is genuinely a good and honest human being, and we all love him.

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A Lost Legacy of Excellence: UMES's Legendary Coach Vernon "Skip" McCain

For more than a quarter of a century, University of Maryland Eastern Shore was recognized as a football powerhouse among Historically Black Colleges and Universities. From 1946 to 1970, UMES had a combined win-loss record of 142 wins, 36 losses and 7 ties or an astounding 76.8 winning percentage. In addition, UMES produced six (6) undefeated seasons during the period from 1947 to 1960. Then, UMES was known as Maryland State College from 1948 to 1970, and the name became the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, thereafter.

No one person was more instrumental in UMES’s success than Vernon “Skip” McCain. The history of UMES’s football program is inextricably linked to Coach McCain’s tenure. During his tenure Coach McCain had a phenomenal success record of 101 wins, 16 losses and 5 ties (1948-63). Those who knew him say Coach McCain was the embodiment of the teacher-coach. From 1948 to 1953, he was the most successful coach in the country. Coach McCain, himself a student of the game, did not miss many coaching clinics during his tenure.

In 1950, he was selected “Coach of the Year” by the Pigskin Club of Washington. Coach McCain’s dedication to understanding the deeper qualities and disciplines of the game laid the foundation for what many have called the “Golden Years of Hawk Athletics.” In addition to being head football coach, Coach McCain was also the head basketball coach and athletic director, thus, giving him almost total control over the UMES athletic budget and pool of athletic talent.

Vernon “Skip” McCain was inducted into the Hawk Hall of Fame in 1973. If only the ESPN television cameras and the national media had found their way to the eastern shore of Maryland and the tiny village of Princess Anne! What a story they would have uncovered!!! The entire nation would have discovered a football powerhouse that broke both racial barriers and the competitive spirit of the teams they played. Everyone would have known the name, Skip McCain. It is a shame that only a few do.

America would have recognized that this humble, 5-foot-5 man, who never cussed or missed church, who also had a higher winning percentage (83.7%) for a 16-year period than some of his most famous coaching contemporaries recorded during the same era -- men such as Woody Hayes of Ohio State University (74.3%), Bear Bryant at the University of Alabama (72.7%), and Eddie Robinson at Grambling State University. But, the 1950’s were a time when news of the exploits of Historically Black Colleges and Universities rarely escaped the confines of their own communities. And the Internet was not invented, nor cable television, nor exclusive sports networks in radio and television that we take for granted today.

UMES achievements on the gridiron included six (6) undefeated seasons, four (4) of which were perfect seasons in 1949, 1950, 1952, and 1955. When Coach McCain came to Maryland State College (MSC) in 1948, he was to serve as the head football coach, head basketball coach and the athletic director. It became apparent that this man could build winners no matter what the sport. While concentrating on his football duties, he directed the basketball team to a record of 76 wins and 11 losses from 1948 to 1952.

In 2006, Coach McCain finally got his due when he was inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana. Coach McCain touched the lives of hundreds of young men to whom he will always be remembered simply as “Coach.”

UMES Pro Football Hall of Famer, Art Shell

As a result, during the period from 1946 to 1970, over twenty-four (24) UMES student-athletes went on to pursue professional careers in the National Football League. In addition, several others went on to successful careers in the Continental and Canadian Football Leagues. The most notable of these athletes is Art Shell, eight (8) time Pro-Bowl player, NFL Hall of Fame Player, and the first African American head coach of the modern era of professional football with the Los Angeles Raiders (now the Oakland Raiders).

UMES Football Legends

Roger Brown, DT, Detroit Lions' Fearsome Foursome, Los Angeles Rams (1960-69), College Football Hall of Fame

Willie Belton, RB, Atlanta Falcons/St. Louis Cardinals (1970-74)

Earl Christy, CB/DB/HB, New York Jets (1966-68)

Moses Denson, RB, Washington Redskins (1974-75)

James "Jim" Duncan, CB/S, Baltimore Colts (1969-71)

Curtiss Gentry, CB, Chicago Bears (1966-68)

Douglas Goodwin, FB/RB, Buffalo Bills/Atlanta Falcons, (1966, 68)

Gerald Irons (M.B.A/J.D., Univ. of Chicago),DT/LB, Oakland Raiders (1970-79)

Arthur L. Laster, T, Buffalo Bills (1970)

Roy Kirksey, G, New York Jets/Philadelphia Eagles (1971-74)

Arthur "Art" Shell, OT, Oakland Raiders (1968-1982) Pro Football Hall of Fame

Robert "Bob" Taylor, DE/DT, New York Giants (1963-1964)

William Allen "Billy" Thompson, CB/S Denver Broncos (1969-1981)

Mack Alston, Jr., TE, Washington Redskins (1970-1980)

William Arthur "Bill" Belk, DE/DT, San Francisco 49ers (1968-1974)

Emerson Boozer, HB/RB, New York Jets (1966-1975), College Football Hall of Fame

Marsh Cropper, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (1967-69)

Charles Stukes, CB, Baltimore Colts/Los Angeles Rams (1967-74)

Carl Hairston, DE/DT, Philadelphia Eagles/Cleveland Browns/Phoenix Cardinals (1976-1990)

Ray Hayes, FB, Minnesota Vikings (1961)

Anthony Jones, HB/TE, Washington Redskins/San Diego Chargers (1984-88)

Sherman Plunkett, OT, Baltimore Colts/S.D. Chargers/NY Jets (1958-1967)

Johnny B. Sample, DB/S, Baltimore Colts/NY Jets (1958-1968)

Erwin B. Williams, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (1969)

The UMES Hawks Football Program was discontinued in 1980. However, Hawks for Football, Inc., has been working to bring football back to UMES.

A brief list of UMES Hawks firsts:

• In 1948, UMES and Albright College played the first intercollegiate football game between an HBCU and majority White institution.
• In 1958, Johnny Sample (1954-58) was the first player from an HBCU to play in the prestigious College All-Star Game.
• UMES had five of its former players in the famous 1968 Super Bowl III game, Baltimore Colts vs. New York Jets.
• In 1989, Art Shell became the first modern era African-American head football coach of an NFL franchise--the Oakland Raiders.

A Legacy of Excellence: UMES Emerson Boozer to College Football Hall of Fame

Emerson Boozer, a University of Maryland Eastern Shore star half-back will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in July. Boozer was a star in Super Bowl III with the World Champions New York Jets (1968).

Video:

America's Game - 1968 New York Jets - Boozer ...

Long before there was a University of Maryland Eastern Shore, there was a black college football powerhouse in Princess Anne playing under the banner of "Maryland State College" coached by a nearly forgotten legendary coach, Vernon "Skip" McCain.

On Tuesday, the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame announced the induction of "Maryland State College" half-back Emerson Boozer, who will join two other Hawks presently in the Hall--Detroit Lions/Los Angeles Rams "Fearsome Foursome" massive tackle Roger Brown (inducted in 2009) and Coach "Skip" McCain (inducted in 2006).

Prior to coming North to play for the Hawks, Boozer was a 5-11/190 star half-back at Lucy Laney High School in Augusta, Georgia. Boozer, who was a running back for UMES between 1962-65, was a four-year letterman, compiling 2,537 yards and 22 touchdowns during his Hawks career. He averaged a robust 6.78 yards per carry playing for Coach McCain and later, Coach R. "Sandy" Gilliam.

Skip McCain compiled a career record of 102 wins, 17 defeats and 4 ties (82.9%) with four perfect undefeated seasons and four Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championships. More importantly, Coach McCain and the powerhouse Hawks defeated Grambling State and the legendary Eddie Robinson in all four games played between the Hawks and Tigers, outscoring Grambling 87-20. This was achieved while McCain served as the head football coach, head basketball coach and athletic director.

During the period of 1946-1960, Maryland State College produced five undefeated football teams and a combined won-loss record of 139 wins, 36 losses and 7 ties.

Boozer graduated and went on to star for the New York Jets for 10 seasons as both a feature running back with speed and tremendous power, and later in his career, as a powerful blocking half-back. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore holds the distinction with Florida State for producing the most alumni (five each) appearing in a single Super Bowl game (Super Bowl III, 1968). Boozer, along with Hawks Earl Christy, Johnny Sample, Charlie Stukes and James Duncan holds this record that may never be broken. UMES discontinued their football program in 1979 due to the rising costs of Division I football.

Boozer was drafted by both the NFL and upstart AFL in 1966. He was selected in the Round 7/Pick 98 by the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) and Round 6/Pick 46 by the AFL's New York Jets. Emerson became a Jets starter in 1967 and displayed talents that drew comparison to the Chicago Bears star running back Gale Sayers. Boozer was noted for his work ethic and his blocking and past catching abilities soon became legendary around the league. With quarterback Joe Namath, full back Matt Snell, and numerous support players like future college football hall of famer, Coach William "Billy Joe" (Cheney State, Florida A&M, Miles College), the Jets won Super Bowl III by an improbable 16-7 over the Johnny Unitas led Baltimore Colts.

Boozer scored 52 touchdowns and gained 5,135 yards in his 10 year NFL career. Emerson Boozer will forever be in the NFL record books for scoring the first regular-season over-time ("sudden death") touchdown in NFL history on a short pass from Joe Namath in 1974 to beat the cross-town rival New York Giants.

The UMES Hawks are not done yet--with former NFL stars and notable alumni -- NFL Coach Art Shell, Johnny Sample, Sherman Plunkett, Carl Hairston, Billy Thompson, Charlie Stukes, Earl Christy, Mack Alston Jr., and James Duncan are awaiting their names to be called for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Not bad for a Hawks program that fielded it last football team 31 years ago.

Bears Avoid Upset, Capture 3rd Consecutive MEAC Regular Season Title

Morgan State University Coach Todd Bozeman has done the impossible--re-making the Bears into a Mid-major powerhouse in a three year span.

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Kevin Thompson had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Ameer Ali added 10 points to help the Bears pull out a come-from-behind 65-61 victory over MD-Eastern Shore on Monday night. Reggie Holmes, one of the leading scorers in the nation, was held well below his average of 22 point per game, however he hit critical free throws in the final seconds to help the Bears clinch their third consecutive regular season Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship. The Bears, who improved to 21-9 overall and 12-1 in the conference, got a lot of help down the stretch as the Hawks wasted away opportunities from the free throw line.

With the score knotted 56-56 with 1:27 remaining on the clock, the Hawks went 1-for-5 from the stripe. Meanwhile the Bears went 4-for- 7 from the stripe, including three by Holmes, which turned out to be the difference in the ballgame. Tim Burns finished with a game-high 23 points (7-10 FG) for MD-Eastern Shore (9-19, 7-7 MEAC), which has not beaten Morgan State in four seasons. Kevin White added 16 points with seven assists and Neal Pitt recorded 11 points with 14 points off of the bench for the Hawks. The Hawks led 34-27 at halftime, but they were facing the best team in the league and the second half proved to be the difference.

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UMES Hawks Don't Disappoint on Homecoming

Coach Frankie Allen: 'It was a game that we felt we had to win.'

PRINCESS ANNE, MD -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team looked to finish off the tail end of a homecoming doubleheader on a winning note Saturday. With the help of big runs in the first and second halves, UMES eased to a 66-52 victory over Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Coppin State. It was the Hawks' first homecoming win in eight years. "It's a great feeling," UMES coach Frankie Allen said. "So much is put into your homecoming, and we had a big crowd, and it was a game that we felt we had to win."

The beginning of the game saw both teams struggle on the offensive end, with the score being 3-3 after the first five minutes. The offensive woes continued for both teams, for it was close to the 10-minute mark before either team reached double digits when UMES guard Josh Bright hit two free throws to break a 9-9 tie. After Bright's free throws, the Hawks (9-18, 7-6 MEAC) went on to outscore Coppin State by a 17-12 margin to end the half, capped by a Hillary Haley 3-pointer in the closing seconds. The Eagles (7-18, 2-10) were sluggish following the break, and were outscored 14-2 by the Hawks in the first five minutes of the half.

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Nebraska Huskers down Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks

Courtesy: NU Media Relations

Lincoln, NE --- Senior guard Ade Dagunduro continued his torrid shooting to help Nebraska post season highs in points and field-goal percentage as the Huskers ran past Maryland Eastern Shore, 88-56, on Saturday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The 88 points were the most in a regulation game under Coach Doc Sadler, and equaled the high set against Oregon in overtime last year. The 61.1 percent shooting, which included an impressive 64.3 percent after the break, was a season high, bettering NU's previous high which came four games ago as the Huskers hit 60.9 percent against Alabama State.

To get to the season-high totals, Nebraska took care of the ball at a record pace. The Cornhuskers tied the school record with just three turnovers, matching the mark originally set in 2002 at Iowa State. NU had just one turnover at the break and notched two miscues in the second half.

The 6,146 in attendance nearly saw another record as Dagunduro came close to matching the same school mark for the second time in four games. The senior from Inglewood, Calif., hit his first eight shots from the floor before missing his last attempt on a layup off an inbounds pass. He finished the day 8-of-9 from the field, just missing the single-game school record he tied against UMBC by going 9-of-9. Over the past four games, Dagunduro has hit 26-of-32 for a scorching 81.3 percent field-goal accuracy.

Behind Dagunduro's 18 points, the Huskers blew past the Hawks, taking a 12-point halftime lead out to as many as 36 points in the final four minutes of the contest. Dagunduro was followed by Steve Harley, who had 12 points, including 10 in the first half, while 10 other Huskers scored in the contest. Nebraska blew out of the gates in the second half, hitting nine of their first 10 shots from the field to open a 60-38 lead on Paul Velander's only 3-pointer of the game with 12:00 remaining in the contest. His basket was part of a 7-0 run that came just before the Huskers' biggest defensive stand of the night.

UMES' Michael Pitt hit a 3-pointer at the 8:29 mark to pull the Hawks to 68-45 before Nebraska reeled off 13 straight points to push out to an 81-45 lead on Toney McCray's breakaway dunk. McCray got free with the ball after collecting his career-high fourth steal of the game, one of 12 Husker thefts in the contest. Sadler cleared his bench just seconds later and the third team did a solid job, holding UMES to just two baskets in the final four minutes.

Box score

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Next: Nebraska vs. Florida A&M, Monday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m., Devaney Center,
Lincoln, NE.

Next: UMES at Oklahoma, Norman, OK, Monday, Jan 5, 7 p.m. ET; TV: Sooner Sports Network.

UMES Art Shell Celebrity Golf Classic returns in September

PRINCESS ANNE, MD -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Art Shell Celebrity Golf Classic will return to the Shore on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 at Glen Riddle Golf Club. A 5 p.m. "meet the celebrities" party will be held Tuesday, September 16. The tournament has an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Afterwards there will be an awards dinner.

In previous years, there have been numerous NFL Hall of Famers, including: Lenny Moore (Baltimore Colts 1956-1967 and NFL HOF Class of 1975), Bobby Mitchell (Cleveland Browns 1958-1961, Washington Redskins 1962-1968, coach for Redskins 1969-2002, NFL HOF Class of 1983) and Charley Taylor (Washington Redskins 1964-1975 and 1977 and NFL HOF Class of 1984.

The registration fee is $200 per person or $750 per foursome. The pre-tournament "meet and greet" is free to registered golfers and $10 for guests. Call Chenita Kollock 410-651-7773.



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UMES Track Athlete Fothergill Heading To Beijing Olympics

KINGSTON, JAMAICA--Allodin Fothergill has had a stellar sophomore year for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). From the start of an early indoor season he has garnered All-MEAC honors, earning two gold medals in the conference championship (200, 400-meter dashes). He then placed 10th in the 400 meter-dash in the NCAA Division I 2008 Indoor Championships (47.24). His performances during the Outdoor season improved as he qualified for the NCAA East Regional track meet. On the big stage he ran 46.40 to advance to the Outdoor National Championship. For personal reasons he would not make the trip to Iowa. But his season wasn't over.

Taking this time off proved successful for the Jamaican native as he returned home to reunite with family and compete in Jamaica's Olympic Trials in Kingston. To say Fothergill represented UMES well would be an understatement. In the 400-meter semifinals he placed third in his heat to advance to the finals. In the final round Fothergill scorched the track to a 4th place finish and an amazing time of 45.97. With his performance Fothergill was named to the Jamaican Olympic team for this year's 2008 Beijing China Olympic Games.

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UMES bowling struggles at NCAA

Photo: Senior Jessica Worsley was high bowler for the Hawks, who averaged 192.5 (12th best individually at the championship) bowling in all four games; her 226 in the opening game was the team's best individual pinfall of the day.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore bowling team picked a bad day to struggle. Thursday was the qualifying day of the NCAA championship in Omaha, Neb. The eight teams bowl nine games (four team games and five Baker games) to determine seeding for the final two days of the event, and the Hawks, who entered the tournament as the No. 2 team in the country, qualified as the seven seed.

"We struggled, a lot of other teams struggled in the Baker (games)," UMES coach Sharon Brummell said. "Hopefully, (Friday) we'll just be a better Baker team than our opponent." The Hawks bowled team games of 954, 902, 862 and 887 in the morning, then bowled Baker games of 723, 763, 706, 791 and 689 for a pinfall total of 7,277.

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UMBC assistant Allen named men's basketball coach at UMES

Photo: University of Maryland Eastern Shore new men's head basketball coach Frankie Allen.

Former Division I head coach and UMBC assistant Frankie Allen today was named the head men's basketball coach at University of Maryland-Eastern Shore.

Allen, who spent the past two seasons at UMBC under head coach Randy Monroe, helped lead the Retrievers to their first NCAA tournament bid last season. He previously coached Virginia Tech, Tennessee State and Howard University. UMBC won the America East title last season but fell to second-seeded Georgetown, 66-47, in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Allen has 18 seasons of head coaching experience in Division I.

UMES finished last season 15-16 overall and 9-7 in the MEAC.

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UMES to announce new men's basketball coach

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore will hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to announce its new head coach for men’s basketball. The press conference is open to the public, as well as media, and will be held in the arena at that William P. Hytche Athletic Center.

Meredith Smith had led the program through a 4-28 campaign during the 2007-08 season, as interim head coach. Smith had been the first assistant under Larry Lessett during his three-year tenure when the program was 13-75.

The new coach announced today will be the fourth coach in a six-year span for UMES.

FAMU knocks off UMES 70-58

Photo: FAMU's Lamar Twitty scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds in a superb effort against the UMES Hawks.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The defending MEAC champions look right at home at the RBC Center.

On the same floor that it won the MEAC tournament a year ago, the Florida A&M men's basketball team took its first step toward repeating by beating Maryland-Eastern Shore 70-61 in the first round of the conference tourney.

The sixth-seeded Rattlers (15-16) saw a 10-point halftime lead trimmed to one midway through the second half before finally pulling away from the 11th-seeded Hawks.

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Both Rattlers teams played extremely well today, and the Lady Rattlers can hold their heads high for putting a scare into the Lady Aggies. Our men's team will give Norfolk State more than they handle tomorrow. The Rattlers are still defending MEAC Tournament Champions for another day, and anything can happen.

DSU Bright hits milestone as Hornets end skid

Photo: Senor guard Roy Bright scored his first career double/double against the UMES Hawks. The 6-6 Hornets star hit for 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

Senior scores his 1,000th point at DSU in win

DOVER -- His first attempt sailed through with ease. The second, just another pretty shot again from beyond the arc.

By the time Roy Bright had made his third and fourth baskets in five attempts Thursday, he'd gotten his milestone and his Delaware State team essentially had the lead it needed for an important victory.

This was actually Senior Day and, perhaps more importantly, a day of redemption during a 67-52 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore at Memorial Hall.

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FAMU spoils UMES homecoming

Photo: FAMU's Byron Taylor better games have come against UMES--scores runner to win game. Taylor is a 5-7/150 redshirt junior guard from Florida H.S., Tallahassee, FL., majoring in Business.

Hawks' rally falls a layup short of OT; Coach Smith: 'We couldn't have gotten a better shot'

PRINCESS ANNE, MD -- Byron Taylor's runner in the lane gave the Florida A&M men's basketball team a 62-60 lead with 8.6 seconds remaining, and Marc Davis' baseline layup attempt at the other end was no good, as the Rattlers held on to spoil homecoming for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

"We couldn't have gotten a better shot," UMES coach Meredith Smith said. "It was right there. A layup is the highest-percentage shot in basketball. We got the shot that we wanted. It just didn't fall."

Junior guard Ed Tyson led the Hawks with 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting and was 5-of-5from the free-throw line. The Rattlers paid him extra attention on the final play, leaving a lane to the basket for Davis.

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NSU beats UMES 68-61 with lots of help from Murphy

Photo: NSU senior Tony Murphy stepped up with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block and 2 steals to keep the Spartans tied with Morgan State for first place in the MEAC.

NORFOLK, VA - When his team needed him most Monday night, Norfolk State senior guard Tony Murphy was there – as he always has been. The Spartans were reeling and on the verge of losing to Maryland-Eastern Shore. But Murphy willed his team to victory, helping Norfolk State prevail 68-61.

First, he helped wrest the lead away from Eastern Shore for the final time, burying a 3-pointer with 4:52 left . Then he knocked out the Hawks with a three-point play two minutes later in what is likely his final home game of his career. It was the defining moment on a night when Murphy scored 25 points.

“It’s good to see him step up,” Norfolk State coach Anthony Evans said. “He’s a senior and it’s great to see him knocking down some shots.”

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Lady Hawks rout Howard, roll to a 105-87 win

UMES extended its school-record winning streak to seven straight games with a 105-87 win over visiting Howard University on Saturday. The Lady Hawks (14-8, 7-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) led by as many as 41 points and shot 53 percent from the field.

April McBride recorded her seventh double double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Tiffany Reid matched her career-high of 24 points.Josephine McLane scored a career-high 16 points. Freshmen Casey Morton also finished in double figures with 12 points.

With the win, UMES moved into sole possession of second place in the conference.

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UMES Lady Hawks soars over Coppin State Lady Eagles

BALTIMORE, MD -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball team has extended its winning streak against MEAC opponents as they defeated Coppin State 69-62 on Monday night. For Coppin State, Shalamar Oakley had 25 points with teammate Rashida Suber adding 17 points.

The Hawks were led by both April McBride and Casey Morton, who each tallied 18 points. McBride, the reigning MEAC Player of the Week, had a double-double, adding 16 rebounds to her 18 points. Tiffany Reid had another good performance as the reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Week had 15 points and three steals. Brittany Adkins was the fourth Hawk in double digits with 13 points and 13 rebounds. This was the fifth straight win for the Lady Hawks.

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UMES Lady Hawks sinks Morgan State from long range

Tiffany Reid leads all scorers with career-high 24 points.

BALTIMORE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Lady Hawks capitalized on an impressive shooting effort in route to a 95-80 win over Morgan State University (MSU) on Saturday afternoon in the Hill Field House. UMES (11-8, 4-2 MEAC) connected on 32-of-59 (54.2 percent) from the field and 13-of-21 (61.9 percent) from downtown in the game, while limiting the Bears to just three-of-18 (16.7 percent) from beyond the arc.

"I thought we shot the ball extremely well and it helped open up the entire floor for our team," said Head Coach Fred Batchelor. "Coming in we knew this was an important game and it was a total team effort in the win."

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Morgan State pulls away in second half from UMES

Photo: Forward Boubacar Coly had 15 points, 13 rebounds and six blocked shots in his outing with UMES. The 6-9/220 senior is from Ziguinchor, Senegal, Laurinburg Institute.

Senior guard Jamar Smith scored 18 points, and three Bears posted double doubles in a 67-52 victory that didn't satisfy coach Todd Bozeman. The lead changed hands eight times in the first half, and there were three ties before senior center Boubacar Coly scored inside with 2:51 left to put Morgan ahead 32-30. Junior forward Marquise Kately added a free throw before the buzzer.

That was ugly," Bozeman said. "We didn't play well at all, but the hard part is, when you're trying to change a [losing] culture and you've got a bull's eye on your back, everybody is coming after you." The Bears (12-8, 7-1) are off to their best start since the 1978-79 season, when they were 18-12. They've won five straight games and are 6-0 at home.

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