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Jan. 20, 2005
NORFOLK, VA - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Fighting Hawks dropped its 12th straight game and have yet to earn a victory in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play as they fell to Norfolk State University, 74-56. Norfolk State (7-7, 5-1), who extended its overall win streak to three games and its conference win streak to five in a row, jumped out to an early 16-1 lead in the first 7:38 behind three long range shots from beyond the arc and six UMES (1-14, 0-6) turnovers. Junior Tim Parham (Chicago, Ill./Ellsworth), who was in double-figures for the fifth time in the last six contests, recorded the Hawks first field goal starting a quick 7-0 run to cut the lead to single-digits at 16-8. However, Karandick Ogunride pulled down two rebounds and hit back-to-back jumpers to start a Spartans 9-0 run to answer the Fighting Hawks quick surge, pushing their advantage to an first half high 17 points at 25-8. Over the final 7:44 the two teams exchanged buckets until the last two minutes when UMES went on a quick 8-0 run behind back-to-back three pointers from Louis Brookins (Silver Spring, Md./Springbrook) and Corey Brown (Ruthville, Va./Mott C.C.). Norfolk State's lead shrunk to nine points at halftime as UMES trailed 34-25. Brookins, who has scored only five points over the last six contests, scored seven of his career-high 11 points in the first half on 3-5 shooting from the floor, including two three-pointers. "Louis played an outstanding game and that is the type of effort we need from all of our players," said head coach Larry Lassett of Brookins play in his first start of the season
In the opening half, Norfolk shot a solid 46% from the floor as the starting five scored 29 of the teams 34 points. UMES shot 37% from the floor in the half, but after starting 0-6 from the floor, finished by making 10 of its final 21 attempts.
In the second half, Norfolk State started with a quick 6-0 run to push the lead back to double-digits, but the Hawks broke down the Spartan press and an alley-hoop dunk from Jareem Dowling (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands/Cecil C.C.) to Parham seemed to swing the momentum, for at least a few minutes, back to the maroon and gray. UMES was able to cut into a 15-point lead and with 15:30 remaining trailed 42-33. However, the Spartans began a 15-4 run over the next 5:54 to push its lead to a 20-point advantage at 57-37. With just over nine minutes remaining, the Hawks went into a full-court pressure defense which led to a 9-1 run by UMES as Parham contributed five points over the four minute run. With the score 58-46, Chakowby Hicks hit a deep three-pointer, then stole the ball and assisted on quick fast break lay-up to extend the Norfolk State advantage back to 17 and eventually closed out the game 74-56. Hicks finished the game in double-figures with 12 points, seven assists and seven steals. Three other Spartans finished in double-figures as well. Calvin Brown scored a game-high 16 points, while Ryan Grier dropped 15 and Ogunride contributed 14. "Besides the 16-1 run to start the game, we were able to play with one of the top teams in the conference," said Lassett of his team's effort against Norfolk State. "I am very encouraged about the play tonight and I believe if we can fix a few things like shot selection and defensive positioning we can beat any team in the conference." UMES had three players in double-figures as Parham led the way with 14 points and was just three rebounds short of his fifth double-double in his last six games. Brookins added his 11 points and Dowling scored 10 points, eight of which came from the free throw line in the second half. The Fighting Hawks will look to make the necessary corrections as they return to action this Saturday, January 22nd to host Coppin State as part of a MEAC men's/women's double-header. The men's game will start at approximately 4:00 p.m. following the women's game at 2:00 p.m. |
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