 
|
March 11, 2010
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) let a seven point half-time lead slip away as South Carolina State would score its last seven points from the free throw line to pull away to a 59-53 win in the quarterfinal round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament at the Joel Coliseum. The Hawks (11-21), the Number 6 seed, took control early by riding the scoring of Josh Bright, holding a 20-13 advantage on the boards, and forcing 9 turnovers. "We knew that it was going to be a war," said SC State Coach Tim Carter. "It was a war down there and we expected the same thing tonight. It was an ugly game and neither team shot the ball well." UMES led 27-20 at the half after and won the rebounding battle 20-13. In the second half however, it was the Bulldogs who controlled the boards. Jason Flagler and Darnell Porter provided the offensive punch and the Bulldogs won the rebounding battle, 20-14. After UMES took the biggest lead of the game at 30-20, the Bulldogs went on a 16-6 run to tie the game at 36-all. Neal Pitt, the lone UMES senior, got inside for a short jumper as the Hawks regained the lead at 38-36 at the 10:46 mark. The Bulldogs, who had not led since starting the game with an 11-6 run, grabbed the lead at 39-38 when Khalif Toombs nailed a 3-pointer with 8:43 on the clock, however Hillary Haley, who led UMES with 13 points, converted two free throws and Tim Burns added two more as the Hawks went ahead 42-39 with 7:47 to play. A 3-pointer by SC State's Porter tied the contest at 42-all and the Bulldogs regained the lead, at 44-42, when Flagler got a short jumper with 6:10 to play. UMES came back to tie at 44-all on a runner by Kevin White before the Bulldogs' Brandon Smalls, hit his only basket of the night, which came from behind the arc, to stake SC State to a 47-44 advantage at the 5:39 mark. UMES closed the gap to one four times, the last at 54-53 when White, drove the baseline for a layup with 2:13 left. But that would be the last points of the contest for Coach Frankie Allen's team as the Bulldogs scored the game's final five points, all from the charity stripe, for the final 59-53 margin and a chance to advance. The game was a nip-and-tuck affair with 5 ties and 5 lead changes before the Bulldogs were able to put the game away at the foul line. The Bulldogs held the Hawks to one field goal in the last 2:12. "Give South Carolina State credit; they came out in the second half and imposed their will on us," said UMES head coach Frankie Allen, in his second year there. "They took away some things from us and they hit their free throws to win a hard-fought game." UMES was led by Haley with 13 off the bench and Bright and White, who tallied 11 and 10, respectively in a losing effort. The Bulldogs were paced by Flagler, a first team all-MEAC selection, who led all scorers with 20, and Porter, who contributed 16. The Hawks' Allen said his team had its chances in the contest but praised SC State for its second-half comeback and play down the stretch. "We had opportunities," Allen said. "We played well in the first-half but give SC State credit. They came back in the second half to win a hard-fought game. We started the game with a lot of energy and overall gave a great effort, but they kind of imposed their will on us in the second half and down the stretch." UMES ended its season at 11-21. The Bulldogs (17-13), the Number 3 seed will take on Delaware State, the Number 2 seed, in a semifinal match on Friday at 8 pm. SC State met Delaware State once during the season in Dover, DE and the Hornets prevailed, 67-58. The game marks the final one for senior Neal Pitt. The only senior on the roster, Pitt, a pre-season All-MEAC selection battled injuries throughout his final campaign. "Were going to miss him," said Allen. "He came to us and stepped out on faith, he came to help build something and I think he has had a big part in what we are doing here." "It's hard, battling injuries all year," Allen continued. "It's difficult, but Neal gave us everything he could, he worked as hard as anybody could, I am very grateful for what he has given us." Pitt was an All-MEAC selection last season. "This school and team have helped me a lot," he said. "I grew in the game, injuries held me back on the court, but I have learned I can go further than I thought." MEAC Hall of Famers Bill Hamilton and Ed Hill contributed to this story.
|
|||||||||
| ||||||||||
