Jan. 26, 2005
Click here to listen to the women's game beginning at 5:30 pm Wednesday
Click here to listen to the men's game beginning at approximately 7:30 pm Wednesday
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Click here for complete men's game notes
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The Women's Game
The UMES Lady Hawks look two make it two consecutive home victories as they battle the red-hot Coppin State Lady Eagles Wednesday at the Hytche Center. The Lady Hawks, continuing a stretch of four MEAC games in eight days, come in at 5-10 (4-3 MEAC) after a sloppy 65-51 win over Morgan State Monday.
The Lady Eagles come in with the MEAC's best overall record (11-5), and the second best conference mark (6-1, Hampton 8-0). Led by junior Sherrie Tucker (16.7 ppg), the team is playing without senior Leisel Harry (torn MCL). Last season Coppin beat UMES twice, including an eight-point win in Princess Anne, then a 17-point victory at the Coppin Center.
News and Notes
PG Erica Bennett has missed four of the Lady Hawks' last seven games (12/20-illness, 1/10-suspension, 1/17+19-ankle sprain), and is questionable for Wednesday's game as well...Freshman Kristi Veltkamp has scored in double-figures in six of her past seven games (12.8 ppg) after failing to score more than nine points in any of her first eight games (while battling an ankle injury)...Walk-on Toni Kennedy is leading the Lady Hawks in scoring (10.4 ppg) and in three-pointers made (33-87 3's)...Octavia Thompson, the Lady Hawks leading returning scorer from last season, left the team due to personal reasons after the December 6th game. The senior was averaging 8.3 ppg in four games played this season...UMES has taken an early lead in 7 of its 10 losses (13-3 vs. Laf., 11-4 vs. Tow., 16-8 vs. LIU, 17-7 vs. Mia., 18-7 vs. Win., 13-8 vs. Tem, 12-7 at Hamp). UMES then trailed at halftime of 5 of those 7 games.
A Win Is A Win
The Lady Hawks ended a two-game losing streak with a 65-51 victory over Morgan State Monday night at they Hytche Center. Led by freshman Kristi Veltkamp's career-high-matching 18 points, UMES survived a scare from the 2-12 Lady Bears.
The Lady Hawks (4-10, 4-3), playing their first home game in seven weeks, had a tough time in the first half as they shot 38% from the field and committed 14 turnovers. Still, a late 17-5 run gave the Lady Hawks a ten-point halftime advantage, 29-19.
The Lady Bears held strong in the second half, using an early 15-4 spurt to crawl back within one point, 41-40 with just over 12 minutes remaining. However, UMES responded with a quick 11-2 run over the next three minutes to take a 52-42 lead, highlighted by junior Toni Kennedy's first three-pointer of the evening.
With just over five minutes remaining in the game the Lady Hawks lead shrunk to 52-48, but UMES ended the game on a 13-3 run from there, thanks in large to good free throw shooting down the stretch. The Lady Hawks shot 11-14 from the line during the final run.
UMES Lady Hawks (5-10, 4-3 MEAC)
2004-'05 Schedule:
Previous Games
Date Game Result
11/10 Wilm. Coll. (Ex) W 90-44
11/19 vs. Lafayette# L 44-60
11/20 at Eastern Michigan# L 52-80
11/23 Towson L 68-73
11/26 at LIU^ L 49-56
11/27 vs. Miami^ L 64-88
11/30 at Winthrop W 62-55
12/4 Delaware State* W 58-56
12/6 Howard* L 70-86
12/20 at Bucknell L 48-60
12/30 at Temple L 53-77
1/8 at Florida A&M* W 71-68 (OT)
1/10 at Beth-Cook.* W 67-55
1/17 at Hampton* L 46-51
1/19 at Norfolk St.* L 46-63
1/24 Morgan State* W 65-51
Upcoming Games:
Date Game Time
1/26 Coppin State* 5:30 pm
1/29 at N.C. A&T* 2:00 pm
1/31 vs. S. Car. St.* 5:30 pm
2/2 at American 7:00 pm
2/5 at Delaware St.* 2:00 pm
2/7 at Howard* 6:00 pm
2/12 Florida A&M* 2:00 pm
2/14 Beth-Cookman* 5:30 pm
2/19 Norfolk State* 2:00 pm
2/21 Hampton* 5:30 pm
2/26 at Coppin State* 5:30 pm
2/28 at Morgan State* 5:30 pm
3/7-12 MEAC Tourn. TBA
#=Eastern Michigan Eagle Classic
^=LIU Turkey Classic
*denotes MEAC conference game
The Men's Game
The UMES men's basketball team continues its stretch of four conference games in eight days with a home match-up with the first place Coppin State Eagles Wednesday at the Hytche Center. The game, originally scheduled to be played Saturday, was postponed because of inclement weather. The Hawks (1-15) come in on a 13-game losing skid following an 80-60 loss to Morgan State Monday.
The Eagles (6-10, 6-1 MEAC), perennial conference contenders, have won five straight conference games coming in, and hold a half-game lead in the MEAC standings over Norfolk St (6-2).
Scouting the Eagles
The Coppin State Eagles (6-10, 6-1 MEAC), come into Wednesday's contest on a four-game winning streak, all of them in the conference, following close home wins against Bethune-Cookman and FAMU two weekends ago. The team, which has won five straight MEAC games overall., is leading the conference at 6-1 coming in. They have not played a game in nine days.
The Eagles are 0-9 in non-conference games, but that record includes osses at now #7 Kentucky, #13 Oklahoma, #16 Texas, #20 Pittsburgh, and #25 Utah. Eight of those nine losses came to teams currently in the top 90 in RPI (Coppin is ranked #112 in RPI this week).
The Eagles, coached by MEAC legend Fang Mitchell, now in his 18th season, were co-MEAC regular-season champions last season, then lost to FAMU in the MEAC Tournament final. This year's squad is led by big men Nicholas King and Darryl Proctor. King, a second-team preseason all-MEAC pick, leads Coppin in scoring at 13.2 ppg, while freshman Proctor is second in scoring (11.3 ppg) and first in rebounding (6.3 rpg).
The Eagles easily defeated the Hawks twice last season, 68-42 Jan. 24th in Princess Anne, then 61-38 Feb. 28th in Baltimore.
News and Notes
The Hawks began the season 1-13 for the 2nd straight year, and 1-12 for the 3rd straight. After going 1-13 last season, the Hawks ran off wins in six of their next nine to improve to 7-16. In `02-'03, the team finished 5-23, and last season 8-21...UMES is allowing 82 ppg to its opponents this season, and has twice given up at least 100 points...The Hawks are 0-10 away from the Hytche Center this season (and 1-5 at home)...The Hawks have struggled to score this season, averaging 56 points through 16 games. The team is shooting 38% from the field, 59% from the foul line and 28% from three-point range...The Hawks won their first game of the season in their third attempt (12/1 vs. UMBC). Last season, it took the Hawks nine games to record a victory (started 0-8)...The Hawks returned only five players from last season's team that finished 8-21 (6-12 MEAC). Gone from `03-'04 are all three coaches including head coach Thomas Trotter, leading scorer Tee Trotter, leading rebounder Javes Wiggins and leading three-point shooter Aaron Wellington.
Bear Hugged
The Morgan State Bears handed the Hawks their 13th straight loss (seventh in the conference), 80-60 Monday at the Hytche Center. Morgan broke open a seven-point game with a 23-3 run early in the second half to put the game out of reach.
UMES (1-15, 0-7) kept the game close in the first half, keeping the Bears (6-11, 4-3) lead to five, 24-19 with just over six minutes left in the half. Morgan responded by forcing seven UMES turnovers in the last four minutes en route to a 16-7, and a 40-26 lead at the intermission.
The Hawks started the second half on a run, scoring the first seven points after halftime to pull within 40-33 led by two Tim Parham baskets. The Bears then took command for good, scoring 23 of the next 26 points in the game over a seven-minute stretch, and led 63-36 with ten minutes remaining.
Parham finished with his fifth double-double in seven games, tallying a game high 20 points and 12 rebounds. Corey Brown added 15 points. Timothy Berkley led four Morgan State players in double-figures with 16 points.
UMES HAWKS AT A GLANCE
Probable Starters
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG
3 Aly Samabaly G 6'3 200 Jr. 1.9 2.9
Scored season-high-matching 5 pts vs. Morgan....Has started 9 straight games at point guard...Shooting only 10-51 FG's this season (20%), and 5-33 3's (15%)...Transfer from Duquesne, sat out entire `03-04 season...Played at St. Vincent/St. Mary HS in Ohio, where during junior and senior seasons he was a teammate of current NBA guard Lebron James.
32 Ryan Leak G 6'4 185 Fr. 5.1 1.1
Scored 9 pts (2-2 3's) off the bench vs. Morgan...Shooting 4-27 FG's combined the past five games...Has started 8 of past 12 games...Career-high 15 pts (14 in 2nd half) at Baylor 12/22...True freshman from Jamaica, NY, averaged 21 ppg for Bayside H.S. his senior season.
33 Jareem Dowling F 6'6 235 Sr. 8.4 5.0
Scored 7 pts (2-9 FG's), had 6 rebs vs. Morgan...Career-high 22 pts at Baylor 12/22...Shooting 32% in FG's this season (14-61 3's, 23%)...One of two returning starters from `03-'04 (Tim Parham)...2003 transfer from Cecil C.C. (Cecil, MD).
42 Tim Parham F 6'9 240 Jr. 10.9 6.7
Had 20 pts and 12 rebs vs. Morgan, his fifth double-double in the past 7 games...Averaging 15.5 ppg and 8.9 rpg the past 8 games...19 pts, career-high 16 rebs at Hamp 1/17...Career-high 21 pts, 10 rebs at B-CC 1/10...One of two returning starters from `03-'04 (Jareem Dowling)...2003 transfer from Ellsworth C.C. (Iowa Falls, Ia).
45 Jason McKinnon C 6'11 270 Sr. 7.3 4.9
0 pts, 0 rebs, 10 min vs. Morgan...Played only 53 min past 4 games (13.3 mpg)...Had career-highs 13 pts, 11 rebs vs. UMBC 12/1 (2nd career double-double)...Returnee from `03-'04, in which he started 9 of 29 games.
Reserves
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG
5 Corey Brown G 6'0 158 Jr. 10.1 2.1
Scored 15 pts (5-12 FG's) vs. Morgan in first start since 1/8 (4 straight)...Averaging 4.1 TO's per game...Career-high 17 pts (5-6 3's) at TCU 12/21...2004 transfer from Mott C.C. (Flint, MI), won a JUCO national championship in `02-'03.
15 Louis Brookins F 6'6 215 Fr. 2.9 1.0
In last 8 games, car-high 11 pts at NSU 1/19, but 5 total pts the other 7...Freshman from Silver Spring, Md., first recruit signed by Larry Lessett.
21 Shondale Robinson F 6'5 208 Jr. 1.9 1.8
Already has scored 30 points this season (4 all last season)...Career-high 6 pts off the bench at Va Tech 11/23...Nicknamed "Texas"...Returnee from `03-'04, when he walked onto team in late December.
23 Anthony Davis F 6'3 190 So. 2.6 1.4
0 pts, 10 min vs. Morgan...Car-high 9 pts vs. UMBC 12/1...2004 transfer from Bunker Hill C.C. (Boston, MA), averaged 26 ppg there in `03-'04.
24 Stephen Kallman G 6'1 165 So. 0.0 0.3
Played in 8 games this season, total 14 min, 0 pts, 2 rebs, 1 FG attempt...Transfer from Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL), did not play there.
30 Tal Cohen F 6'8 230 Fr. 1.8 1.1
Totaled 12 pts and 8 rebs the past 12 games in limited action...Freshman from Hadera, Israel, played on the Israeli Junior National Team while in the Israeli Army for three years.
44 x-Carl Pruitt F 6'7 215 Sr. 10.7 4.6
Academically ineligible to compete...Played 7 games this season, was leading Hawks in scoring...Career-high 20 pts vs. Howard 12/6...Returnee from `03-'04, played in only 9 games.
UMES Hawks (1-15, 0-7 MEAC)
2004-05 Schedule:
Previous Games
Date Game Result
11/13 Eliz City St. (Ex) L 59-74
11/19 at Fresno State L 42-83
11/23 at Virginia Tech L 50-102
12/1 UMBC W 69-62
12/4 Delaware State* L 55-65
12/6 Howard* L 68-88
12/11 Morehead State L 45-62
12/18 at Nicholls State L 66-100
12/21 at TCU L 53-93
12/22 at Baylor L 73-97
12/29 at Portland State L 44-89
1/8 at Florida A&M* L 68-93
1/10 at Beth-Cook.* L 58-61
1/14 Brown L 38-87
1/17 at Hampton* L 54-80
1/19 at Norfolk State* L 56-74
1/24 Morgan State* L 60-80
Upcoming Games
1/26 Coppin State* 7:30 pm
1/29 at N.C. A&T* 4:00 pm
1/31 S. Carolina St.* 7:30 pm
2/5 at Delaware St.* 4:00 pm
2/7 at Howard* 8:00 pm
2/12 Florida A&M* 4:00 pm
2/14 Beth-Cookman* 7:30 pm
2/19 Norfolk State* 4:00 pm
2/21 Hampton* 7:30 pm
2/26 at Coppin State* 7:30 pm
2/28 at Morgan State* 7:30 pm
3/7-12 MEAC Tourney TBA
*denotes MEAC conference game
Larry Lessett- Head Coach
Lawrence Lessett, Jr. is in his first year as head coach of the Hawks. While making his debut as a Division I head coach, he brings almost thirty years of coaching experience from the high school level through the professional ranks.
Lessett comes to Princess Anne after working for three years as a global scout for Magic Johnson International Basketball. Prior to that he served as head coach of the Magic City Snowbears of the International Basketball Association, where he coached the team to a franchise record in wins and a playoff appearance in his only season.
No stranger to the college ranks, Lessett has made several collegiate stops in his career, most recently as head basketball coach and athletic director of Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tennessee. He has also served as an assistant coach at Mercer University, De Anza College, Georgia Southwestern College, Georgia College, Santa Barbara City College, Western New Mexico University, Loyola Marymount University and Cal State University Northridge.
Lessett received a Bachelors degree in Physical Education from Cal State Northridge in 1983 and a Masters degree in Phys Ed and Health from Georgia College in 1991.
Assistant Coaches
Meredith Smith- Assistant Coach
Meredith Smith returns to his alma mater to serve as the first assistant men's basketball coach this season. He graduated from UMES, then Maryland State College, in 1975.
Smith became head coach of Southern High School in Baltimore City in 1978, a position he then held for 24 seasons. In that time he compiled a 414-145 record, giving him the second most victories in Baltimore City Public School history. Smith won 25 playoff games, including three Maryland State Championships (MPSSAA), two Maryland Scholastic Association Conference Championships and a Baltimore City Championship in 1999-2000.
In 1993 the Baltimore Sun named Smith their "Coach of the Year." Smith holds a Bachelors degree in Secondary and Physical Education from UMES and a Master's degree from Coppin State University.
Carl Thomas- Assistant Coach
Carl Thomas, a first-year men's assistant coach, joined the UMES program during the first week of January. Thomas comes to the Hawks less than a year removed from playing in the professional ranks.
While Thomas is holding his first coaching position, he has been in collegiate and professional basketball for almost two decades as a player. A former standout at Eastern Michigan University (1987-'91), Thomas spent much of his professional career in the Continental Basketball Association. He holds the career CBA record for the most times called up to the NBA (5).
Thomas played 68 games over three seasons in the NBA, including stints with the Sacramento Kings (1992), Cleveland Cavaliers (`97 + `98), Golden State Warriors (`98) and Orlando Magic (`98). He averaged 2.9 ppg.
