MEN'S BASKETBALL HANGS WITH NEBRASKA AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GETS FIRST LOOK AT CONFERENCE OPPONENTS

Hawk Talk - A weekly recap of UMES Athletics by Jennifer Jones and the Office of Media Relations

Keishawn Mayes received honors from both UMES and the MEAC for his play this week.

Keishawn Mayes received honors from both UMES and the MEAC for his play this week.

Jan. 5, 2009

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - It's a happy new year for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) men's and women's basketball programs. The Lady Hawks finished out 2008 with a win over Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rival Morgan State while the men fought hard against the University of Nebraska. Freshman Keishawn Mayes was named the UMES Athlete of the Week for the period ending December 29.

Mayes tallied his first career double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds in a 66-56 loss at Old Dominion on December 22, where he was 4-of-6 from 3-point range. He also added four steals, two assists and two blocks in a team-high 35 minutes.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Mayes was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Old Dominion. Junior forward Neal Pitt was also cited by the conference for his play against the Monarchs, garnering an Other Top Performer nod. Pitt tallied a game-high 19 points to go along with four boards and two steals.

Despite a strong first half thanks to Chris Conner, who put up 11 first half points, and the inside presence of Mayes and Pitt, UMES fell to the University of Nebraska 88-56. The Hawks would only see Pitt, along with Conner finish in double digits. Pitt had a game-high 18 points, while Conner was shut out in the second half.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

April McBride posted her first double-double of the season against Kent State.

The women's basketball team closed out the first half of its season on the road with a win over Morgan State University 68-58.

Casey Morton, April McBride and Tiffany Reid, were each just two rebounds shy of double-doubles. Morton finished with a team and season high 18 points and career high eight rebounds. McBride netted season-highs of 16 points and eight rebounds. Reid had 12 points and a season-high eight rebounds.

The Lady Hawks (2-7) fell to Kent State University (KSU) 77-47 in a game that was close inside the three-point arc, but controlled by the Golden Flashes from long range.

McBride posted her first double-double of the season with 11 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Morton led the offense, netting a team-high 15 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the field.

UPCOMING GAMES

The men's basketball team travels back out Midwest to face University of Oklahoma on January 5 with an 8 p.m. tipoff.

The Lady Hawks travel to Dover, Del. to open their conference schedule facing Delaware State University of January 6 at 6 p.m.