Jan. 31, 2004
Click here to listen to the women's game beginning at 2:00 pm
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The Men's Game
The UMES men's basketball team goes for its third straight victory when it concludes a short two-game road trip with a MEAC contest against the Florida A&M Rattlers. The Hawks (3-13, 2-6 MEAC) are coming off a thrilling 62-61 win over Savannah State Thursday that followed a 13-point win over Morgan State at home Tuesday.
The Rattlers come in with a record of 6-11 in 2003-'04, but have won five of their last six games following a 1-10 start to the season. FAMU, the pre-season first-place MEAC selection, is 5-2 at home (4-0 in conference).
Scouting the Rattlers
The Florida A&M Rattlers enter Saturday's contest at 6-11 overall and 5-3 in the MEAC. The team last played Monday and had its five-game win-streak snapped at South Carolina St., 86-62.
The Rattlers, the conference's pre-season champion pick, started the season 1-10 before catching fire and running off five straight wins. Early non-conference losses included at N.C. St by 30, at Florida by 24 and at Georgia by 18. This season the Tigers are 5-2 at home, including 4-0 in MEAC games (and 1-9 away from the Gaither Center).
Florida A&M is led by pre-season MEAC Player of the Year Terrence Woods, who averages 19.1 ppg. Woods, who led the NCAA in 3-point shooting last season, has already made 71 3-pt field goals. Demarcus Wilkins is second on the team in scoring (16.0 ppg) and leads the Rattlers in rebounding (4.9 rpg).
News and Notes
This season UMES has bettered its start to that of '02-'03 after 16 games (3-13, 2-14). The Hawks did not win their third game last season until game number 19...The 85 points scored by the Hawks against Morgan State Tuesday was the most scored by the team in any game since 2/22/03, when UMES scored 91 against N.C. A&T...Tuesday's game was the 100th at UMES for head coach Thomas Trotter. With that win and another Thursday at Savannah State, he now has a record of 31-70 (.307)...The Hawks have struggled from the field so far this season, coming into play Saturday shooting only 36% as a team in '03-'04...The Hawks have two family connections between players and coaches. Tee Trotter is head coach Thomas Trotter's son, while center Tim Parham is a cousin of assistant coach Paris Parham.
Comeback Kids
Antoine Joiner hit two free throws with 9.5 seconds remaining to give the Hawks a one-point lead, then freshman point guard Josh Barker missed a long jump shot as time expired and UMES held on for a scintillating 62-61 come-from-behind win over the Savannah State Tigers Thursday.
Joiner's free-throws gave the Hawks (3-13, 2-6 MEAC) their first lead since 7-6 at the 15:53 mark of the first half, and completed a comeback from 55-41 down with 8:58 left in the game. UMES ended the game on a 21-6 run after that point, spearheaded by the backcourt of Tee Trotter and Aaron Wellington, who combined for 16 of those 21 points. Trotter and Wellington led the Hawks with a game-high 23 points apiece.
The junior Joiner, who did not play in the first half but was on the court for the entire second-half comeback, went to the foul line with the Hawks down 61-60 after being fouled by forward Jasmin Lowe. After swishing the first free-throw, Joiner used the entire rim on the second shot, but finally got a friendly bounce through the net. Then after Savannah State called a timeout, Barker got a good look at an 17-footer with time running down, but his shot was too strong and time expired as the rebound bounced off harmlessly.
UMES ROSTER AT A GLANCE
Probable Starters
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG
1 Tee Trotter G 5'11 180 Sr. 15.7 2.1
Only Hawk to start every game...23 pts (7-17 FGs) at Sav. St...Scored season-high 26 pts vs. Morgan St. 1/27 (7-12 FGs, most pts scored in gm by a Hawks player this season) along with 8 rebs....Second in MEAC in scoring last season (20.5 ppg)...MEAC second-team preseason selection, and candidate for Francis Pomery Naismith Award (for the nation's best player under 6'0).
32 Aaron Wellington G 5'11 160 So. 11.3 3.0
Scored season-high 23 pts (6-11 FGs), 18 coming in the second half at Sav. St....Team's second-leading scorer this season...Hawks' second-leading scorer in '02-'03...Pure shooter with knack for scoring.
44 Jareem Dowling F 6'6 235 Jr. 3.7 2.3
0 pts, 1 reb in 24 min at Sav. St...Tied career-high with 12 pts (5-9 FGs) in 35 min vs. Morgan St. 1/27...Shooting 20-65 FGs (31%) this season (4-27 3's)...Transfer from Cecil C.C. averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds in '02-'03.
4 Javes Wiggins F 6'7 220 Sr. 4.9 5.9
Season-high 13 pts, 6 rebs v. Morgan St 1/27...Leads team in rebounding...Was team's leading rebounder in '02-'03, also third-leading returning scorer.
42 Tim Parham C 6'9 240 Jr. 6.3 3.4
Had 9 pts and career-high 7 rebs in 33 min at Sav. St....Scored 20 pts (8-10 FGs) vs. PSU 12/27 (only 2nd D-I game)...Junior-college transfer joined team 12/20 after end of fall semester...Brings size and strength to Hawks' post game.
Reserves
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG
3 DeWitt Scott G 6'6 200 Fr. 4.0 2.2
DNP last 2 games after starting 3 of the previous 4 games...Set new career highs with 9 pts and 11 rebs at Norfolk St. 1/17...True freshman from Chicago still getting adjusted to D-I level.
5 Lawrence Smith G 5'10 150 Jr. 0.6 0.4
4 pts and 3 assts in 20 min vs. Morgan St 1/27 (first points in his last nine games)...Defensive specialist with quick hands...Serves as a "pure" point guard.
10 Marcus Gutierrez G 6'4 185 So. 1.3 1.3
DNP (coach's decision) last three games....Scored career-high 6 pts (3-5 FGs) in 12 min vs. Del St...Added to roster following conclusion of fall semester.
13 Kirk Wesley F 6'3 190 Sr. 0.6 0.1
Has seen limited action off the bench in nine of the team's first 16 games...All 5 pts this season from foul line...Hard-nosed player with athletic ability.
14 Jermaul Akanbi G 6'2 165 So. 0.8 0.3
Has played in 4 games this season...Scored first FG of the season vs. Coppin State 1/24 (2 pts, 1 asst)...still growing into his ability as a D-I player.
21 Antoine Joiner F 6'5 180 Jr. 3.1 2.5
Hit GW FTs w/ 9 sec. left at Sav. St...Has 11 points (3-11 FG) last 7 gms. combined (113 min)...Season-high 13 pts v. Del St 1/3...Shooting 13-48 FGs (27%).
23 Carl Pruitt (Tony) F 6'6 215 Jr. 2.6 1.6
Hasn't scored since MD game (15 total min), fighting ankle injury...Scored career-high 10 pts (4-10 FGs) at UMD, and 29 pts in exhib. game 11/14.
25 Brandon Wilson G 6'4 190 R-Fr. 1.5 0.9
2 points in 4 min at Sav. St (first pts since 1/6 at MD)...Scored career-high 6 points at Ill...Red-shirt freshman from Long Island, NY.
33 Didier Socka F 6'7 225 Sr. 2.1 2.5
1 pts and season-high 6 reb at Sav. St...Has been scoreless in 7 of last 11 games....Returning leader in FG % (47%) and blocked shots (15) from '02-'03.
35 Shondale Robinson F 6'5 200 So. 0.0 0.8
Played career-high 12 min at S. Car St. (0 pts, 3 rebs, 2 blks)...Brother Cedrick Rashaw played at UMES, finishing his playing career in '99-'00.
55 Jason McKinnon C 6'11 270 Jr. 2.6 3.1
0 pts and 7 rebs combined last eight games in only 44 min (4 starts)...Has started 9 of 16 games...Had first-ever double-double (11 pts, 11 rebs) at RMU...Was one of conference's top big men at Kennedy King J.C. in '02-'03.
UMES Hawks (3-13, 2-6)
Previous games:
Date Game Result
11/2 Tm. Champ. (ex) W 58-54
11/14 One on One (ex) W 88-78
11/23 at Auburn L 61-85
12/11 at Illinois L 43-85
12/21 at Robert Morris L 63-70
12/27 Portland State L 61-80
12/30 Towson L 53-61
1/3 Delaware State* L 55-60
1/5 Howard* L 50-70
1/6 at Maryland L 38-87
1/10 at N.C. A&T* W 52-50
1/12 at S Carolina St* L 53-78
1/14 at Elon L 51-54
1/17 at Norfolk State* L 54-67
1/19 at Hampton* L 62-75
1/24 Coppin State* L 42-68
1/27 Morgan State* W 85-72
1/29 at Savannah St. W 62-61
Upcoming schedule:
Date Game Time
1/31 at Florida A&M* 4:00
2/2 Bethune-Cook.* 7:30
2/7 at Delaware St.* 4:00
2/9 at Howard* 8:00
2/12 Savannah State 7:30
2/14 N.C. A&T* 4:00
2/16 S. Carolina St.* 7:30
2/21 Norfolk State* 4:00
2/23 Hampton* 7:30
2/28 at Coppin State* 7:30
3/1 at Morgan State* 7:30
3/8-12 MEAC Tourn. TBA (Richmond, VA)
*denotes MEAC conference game
Thomas Trotter- Head Coach
Head Coach Thomas Trotter is in his fourth season at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. After a 5-23 season in 2002-03 and a 3-13 start this season, Trotter has a 31-70 overall record (.307 pct.).
Before his stint at UMES, Trotter was the first assistant men's basketball coach at New Mexico State University from 1998-2000 under legendary coach Lou Henson, who is currently the 7th winningest Division I coach in NCAA history.
NMSU made postseason appearances in each of Trotter's two seasons as a coach, winning the Big West Championship and losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to 3rd seeded Kentucky in 1999, then reaching the NIT in 2000 and falling to Arizona State in the first round.
For a ten-year span (1988-97), Trotter served as the first assistant men's basketball coach at Northeastern Illinois University, the winningest Division I program in Chicago three out of Trotter's final four years as a coach. Before his time at NEIU, Trotter spent two seasons coaching at the high school level.
Coach Trotter received his Bachelor of Arts degree in labor relations in 1985 from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. In 1992 he obtained a Master of Science in educational administration, then in 1994 he obtained a Master of Science Education in education curriculum and instruction, each from Northwestern University.
Assistant Coaches
Paris Parham- Assistant Coach
Third-year assistant basketball coach Paris Parham came to UMES from Minnesota State University, where he served as an assistant coach from 1995-2001. 'Coach P' also served as assistant to the athletic director and a coordinator for the Maverick Academic Center at Minnesota State.
Parham was a player at Lincoln College in Lincoln, IL, where he served as team captain in both of his playing seasons. He then went on to play at Minnesota State from 1993-1995, and was selected team captain in 1995. Parham was an all-conference selection in the North Central Conference that season. He ranks eighth all-time at Minnesota State in career assists.
Brian Kusnierz- Assistant Coach
Coach Brian Kusnierz is a third-year assistant coach with the UMES basketball program. He was previously at Concordia University in River Forest, IL, where he served two seasons as an assistant coach.
A three-year starter at Angelo State University in Texas, Kusnierz served as team captain for the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons. An all-conference selection in 1998, he was voted as the team's Most Valuable Player. He finished his playing career ranked in the school's top three list in assists and steals.
The Women's Game
The UMES Lady Hawks look for their third straight win as they conclude a two-game road trip against the Florida A&M Lady Rattlers Saturday. The game tips off at 2:00 from the Gaither Center in Tallahassee.
The Lady Hawks are now 5-10 (2-6 MEAC) in 2003-04, consecutive victories at Savannah State Thursday and against Morgan State Tuesday by 37-points. All six of the team's MEAC losses have come by 8 points or fewer. Florida A&M comes in red-hot, having won six of its last seven games (all in MEAC play). The Lady Rattlers, who beat South Carolina St. 69-67 in their last game Monday, are 5-1 at home this season.
News and Notes
The 94 points scored by the Lady Hawks against Morgan State were the most scored in a game by the team in any game during the past two seasons. Last year's high total was 88 (2/1/03) and this season's before Tuesday was 77 (11/23)...Tuesday's game against Morgan State was the 100th at UMES for head coach Surina Dixon. With that win and another at Savannah State Thursday, she now has a career record of 34-67 (.337 pct.)...Tiffany Winkfield is off to a great start to the '03-'04 season. The senior has recorded a double-double in nine of the first 15 games, and is leading the team with both 15.5 ppg and 11.4 rpg....After a slow start to the season in which she failed to score in double-figures in any of the first five games, Laconia Hatcher has caught fire. The junior college-transfer has scored in double-figures in 9 of the last 10 games. She is now the second-leading scorer on the team at 11.7 ppg....The Lady Hawks have been a second-half team in '03-'04. Despite the team's losing record, UMES has out-scored its opponents 532-518 in the second half this season.
Bennett to the Rescue
Erica Bennett scored a season-high 20 points for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, (5-10, 2-6 MEAC) including ten straight in a big second-half run to help propel the Lady Hawks past the Savannah State Lady Tigers (5-16), 65-57 in a non-conference match Thursday evening.
Savannah State had its last lead with eight minutes left in the second half at 47-46, but sparked by defensive steals and Bennett lay-ups, UMES went on a 19-5 resulting in a 13-point lead with less than a minute remaining.
The teams went back and forth for most of first half, but the Lady Tigers came out on top at the half by a close score, 28-27. With less than seven minutes left in the second half and UMES still down by a point, Bennett started her ten-point scoring streak that helped UMES break open the close game.
Laconia Hatcher and LaToshia Bailey each scored 13 points, while Tiffany Winkfield added 12 points and five rebounds. With the victory, the Lady Hawks won their second game in a row and improved to 5-10 on the season.
UMES Hawks (4-10, 2-6)
Previous games:
Date Game Result
11/15 NWBL Elite (ex) W 102-97
11/21 at Memphis L 63-89
11/23 at Ark-Pine Bluff W 77-60
11/28 vs. Louis.-Laf.# W 60-57
11/29 at Maryland# L 65-97
12/3 at St. Francis L 48-56
12/20 at Towson L 67-92
1/3 Delaware State* L 50-52
1/5 Howard* L 74-79
1/10 at N.C. A&T* L 61-68
1/12 at S. Carolina St* L 68-75
1/17 at Norfolk State* W 72-63
1/19 at Hampton* L 59-60
1/24 Coppin State* L 55-63
1/27 Morgan State* W 95-57
1/29 at Savannah St. W 65-57
Upcoming schedule:
Date Game Time
1/31 at Florida A&M* 2:00
2/2 Bethune-Cook.* 5:30
2/4 American 7:00
2/7 at Delaware St.* 2:00
2/9 at Howard* 6:00
2/12 Savannah State 5:30
2/14 N.C. A&T* 2:00
2/16 S. Carolina St.* 5:30
2/21 Norfolk State* 2:00
2/23 Hampton* 5:30
2/28 at Coppin State* 5:30
3/1 at Morgan State* 5:30
3/8-12 MEAC Tourn. TBA (Richmond, VA)
*Denotes MEAC conference game
# at Terrapin Classic, UMCP
Surina Dixon- Head Coach
Surina Dixon is in her fourth season as head coach for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's Lady Hawks basketball team. Her teams have compiled a 34-67 overall record (.337 win pct.) to date, after starting 5-10 and having earned 12 victories in each of the past two seasons (after only five in 2000-01).
Prior to her arrival at UMES, Coach Dixon served as head assistant coach at Arkansas State University, where she helped guide the Lady Indians to their first ever Top 25 national ranking. Coach Dixon was also an assistant at Texas Southern University.
Before collegiate athletics, Coach Dixon coached for ten seasons in Memphis, Tennessee at Germantown Middle School. There Dixon won eight district and six county championships, had five undefeated seasons, and compiled an overall record of 165-29.
While transitioning to the college ranks, Dixon had an opportunity to both play and coach two seasons of professional basketball with the WBA's Memphis Blues. She has also worked as a coach and instructor at various camps, including the 2000 WNBA Houston Comets' training camp.
At Rosedale High School in Rosedale, Miss., Dixon captained both the basketball and track teams. She then played at Mississippi Valley State University, where she graduated in 1983. Dixon later obtained her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Mississippi.
Assistant Coach
Destiney Avent- Assistant Coach
Destiney Avent is in her first season as an assistant coach at UMES. She has returned to her alma mater ('02) after spending one season as the head women's basketball coach at Montgomery Community College.
Avent played for two seasons at UMES. In 2002, she was named the UMES female student-athlete of the year, as well as team MVP. Before that, Avent played two seasons at Tallahassee Community College.
MEAC 2003-04 Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
Rk School Pts
1. Hampton (13) 413
2. Delaware St. (5) 385
3. Florida A&M 339
4. Bethune-Cook. 283
5. Howard (1) 261
6. MD East. Shore 203
7. S. Carolina St. 188
8. Coppin State 177
9. Norfolk State 143
10. N. Carolina A&T 119
11. Morgan State 33
(first-place votes in parenthesis)
All-MEAC First Team
G Yolanda Dixon, FAMU
G Mandy Clark, Delaware St.
F Lynetta Sullivan, Hampton
F LaKesha Wills, Coppin St.
C Kim Watson, FAMU
Second Team
G Terrell Waller, Delaware St.
G Katie Clark, Bethune-Cook.
F Tiffany Winkfield, UMES
F Lauren Forsthoff, Bethune-Cook
C Nicole Brathwaite, Hampton
-As selected in a preseason vote of MEAC coaches and Sports Information Directors
