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Jan. 15, 2007
Princess Anne, Md. - It was all tied up at the break but the Delaware State University (DSU) Hornets held the Hawks to just 13 second half points and 30 percent shooting to win 61-47 in a noon matinee for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, televised live on ESPN2. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) couldn't keep the ball out of the hands of point guard Darrin Shine for the Hornets who finished with 11 points, six assists and a season high six rebounds. Shine led all DSU players at the break with his seven points and ran the show effectively for Delaware State. The Hornets (8-9, 5-0 MEAC) also played stifling defense in the second half limiting Corey Brown to 1- 5 shooting and just two points after he had scored 15 in the first half; he finished with 17 points to lead all scorers. The Hawks (2-14, 0-5 MEAC) also played just 11 minutes with point guard Jesse Brooks who came up injured in the first half with a left leg injury. "Overall I am happy," said Head Coach Larry Lessett. "We played a great first half and adjusted well without [Brooks]. We just couldn't score in the second half, credit Delaware State with their effort and adjustments." When the second half opened DSU went on an 11-0 run to open the half, a 13-point streak that was unanswered by the Hawks until five minutes into the period when Ed Tyson made one of two free throws. Jahsha Bluntt and Troy Roundtree sparked the run. Roundtree got a pair of quick lay-ins while Bluntt had three jumpers including a trey. After the Tyson free throw he would get a lay-up at the 13:25 mark to cut it to eight. UMES would get no closer. DSU pushed the lead to 16 on three separate occasions until it finished at 14, 61-47. UMES shot 57 percent in the opening frame but DSU limited them to 30 percent in the second half shooting 44 percent in the second frame and 46 percent overall. They also owned the boards out rebounding the Hawks by ten, 38-28.
The game was a first half thriller with the two teams going back and forth with five ties and seven lead changes. DSU got off to a hot start on long-range shots, going 4-11 form three in the half, all four coming early as they led 12-4 six minutes into the game. As the half ended UMES took the lead 34-32 on an Antonio McMillion dunk with 11 seconds to play but Bluntt had a lay-in as time expired to make it tied at 34 at the break. Bluntt led the Hornets with 14 points while Roundtree added eight points and nine boards to lead all rebounders. McMillion added 11 points and Tyson 14 to account for the other players in double figures. Aleksandar Popovic led the Hawk boarding effort with six. UMES takes the floor on Wednesday, January 17 in their final non-conference contest against Shenandoah University at 7:00 pm. |
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