Feb. 2, 2004
Click here to listen to the women's game beginning at 5:30 pm
Click here to listen to the men's game beginning at approximately 7:30 pm
Click here for complete men's game notes
Click here for complete women's game notes
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The Men's Game
The UMES men's basketball team returns home from a short two-game road trip for a MEAC contest against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. The Hawks (3-14, 2-7 MEAC) are coming off a heartbreaking 79-74 loss at Florida A&M Saturday that ended a two-game winning streak.
The Wildcats come in with an identical record of 3-14 in 2003-'04, including three straight losses. Bethune has not played since an 80-50 loss at N.C. A&T last Tuesday (6 days ago), while the Hawks are playing their 4th game in the last 7 days.
Scouting the Wildcats
The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats enter Monday's game at 3-14 overall and 2-6 in MEAC play. The team has lost three straight games following a stretch of winning three out of four contests.
Bethune started this season 0-10 before finally getting a win against Norfolk State at home on January 10th (the same day the Hawks recorded their first win of the season). All three of the team's wins in '03-'04 have come at home (3-3 home, 0-11 away from it).
The Wildcats come into tonight's game after five full days off, while UMES has played two games since Bethune's last outing. The team is led by first-team MEAC pre-season selection Pape Ba, a center who averages 9.2 ppg and a team-leading 5.7 rpg. Forward Diondre Larmond is Bethune's leading scorer at 10.2 ppg.
News and Notes
The Hawks hit a season-high 15 3-pointers in the loss to FAMU Saturday (12 in the first half). In fact, UMES made only 10 2-point field goals in the game...This season UMES has bettered its start to that of '02-'03 after 17 games (3-14, 2-15). 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...The Hawks have struggled from the field so far this season, coming into play Monday shooting only 37% 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.
Shake, Rattlers and Roll
Florida A&M scored the final five points in a game that was tight throughout, all of them from the foul line, to break a tie score and pull out a 79-74 win over the Hawks to break the team's two-game winning streak.
Tee Trotter scored a season-high 36 points to keep the Hawks close throughout, then Aaron Wellington nailed a three-point shot with 1:03 remaining in the second half to tie the score at 74-74. But Demarcus Wilkins hit three free throws, followed by two from Terrence Woods all in the final 33 seconds to give the Rattlers (7-11, 6-3 MEAC) the win.
Wilkins got fouled with 33.4 seconds on the clock and one of two free throws to give FAMU a one-point advantage. UMES came back down court with a chance to reclaim the lead, but Wellington's spinning shot in the lane came up well short, and Wilkins was fouled again and hit both free throws to put the Rattlers in front 77-74.
The Hawks had one final chance to tie the game, but Trotter had the ball stripped away by Woods as he came into the frontcourt. Trotter complained that he had been fouled on the play, but the officials allowed the steal to stand.
UMES ROSTER AT A GLANCE
Probable Starters
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG
1 Tee Trotter G 5'11 180 Sr. 16.9 2.1
Only Hawk to start every game...Scored season-high 36 pts (12-21 FGs, 7-12 3's) at FAMU (most pts scored in game by a Hawks player this season)....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. 11.1 2.9
9 pts (fouled out) at FAMU...Scored season-high 23 pts (6-11 FGs), 18 coming in the second half at Sav. St 1/29...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. 4.1 2.4
10 pts (3 3's), 3 reb in 36 min at FAMU...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. 4.6 5.6
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. 6.1 3.5
Had 9 pts and career-high 7 rebs in 33 min at Sav. St. 1/29...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 3 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.
5 Lawrence Smith G 5'10 150 Jr. 0.5 0.5
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 four 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 17 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. 3.5 2.7
10 pts and 5 rebs at FAMU...Hit GW FTs w/ 9 sec. left at Sav. St. 1/29...Season-high 13 pts v. Del St 1/3...Shooting 17-56 FGs (30%) this season.
23 Carl Pruitt (Tony) F 6'6 215 Jr. 2.6 1.6
Has not scored since MD game (15 total min played), 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. 1.3 0.8
0 pts (1 min) at FAMU...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. 2.4 2.4
6 pts (3-3 FGs) at FAMU before fouling out...Has been scoreless in 7 of last 12 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 combined in the last nine games in only 44 min (4 starts, 3 DNP)...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 (3-14, 2-7)
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
1/31 at Florida A&M* L 74-79
Upcoming schedule:
Date Game Time
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 3-14 start this season, Trotter has a 31-71 overall record (.304 win 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 win in four games win as they return home from a two-game road trip to face the Bethune-Cookman Lady Wildcats Monday. The game tips off at 5:30 from the Hytche Center.
The Lady Hawks are now 5-11 (2-7 MEAC) in 2003-04 following a three-point loss at FAMU Saturday. In fact, all seven of the team's MEAC losses have come by 8 points or fewer. Bethune enters the contest at 8-8 overall and 5-3 in MEAC play, placing them in 4th place in the conference. The Lady Wildcats are on a three-game winning streak.
News and Notes
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 10 of the last 11 games, and is now the second-leading scorer on the team at 12.1 ppg....The 94 points scored by the Lady Hawks against Morgan State 1/27 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)...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 16 games, and is leading the team with both 14.8 ppg and 10.9 rpg....The Lady Hawks have been a second-half team in '03-'04. Despite the team's losing record, UMES has out-scored its opponents 561-540 in the second half this season.
Just Short
Florida A&M built a 16-point second half lead then barely held off a furious Lady Hawks' rally down the stretch for a 63-60 victory.
The Lady Rattlers (11-7, 7-2 MEAC) led 59-44 with 11:58 remaining, but UMES held them scoreless for the next 10:10 and went on a 13-0 run to get back within two points. But FAMU made four free throws in the final two minutes, and Tekeya Gooden missed a shot in the lane that would have tied the game with 14 seconds left helping the Lady Rattlers hold on.
With the Lady Hawks (5-11, 2-7 MEAC) down 62-57, Laconia Hatcher nailed a three pointer with 35 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to two points. Erica Bennett then forced Tene Miller to turn the ball over on the ensuing inbounds pass, giving UMES the ball back with a chance to tie.
After a time out, Gooden, who scored 11 points in the game, took a difficult shot with a defender hanging on her that did not hit any rim and was rebounded by FAMU's Clouttia Young. Young made the front end of a huge 1-and-1 to put the Lady Rattlers up by three, but then missed the second too strong. The ball bounced out to Candace Crawford however, who threw it back to the perimeter allowing FAMU to run out the clock.
UMES Hawks (5-11, 2-7)
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
1/31 at Florida A&M* L 60-63
Upcoming schedule:
Date Game Time
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 34-68 overall record (.334 win pct.) to date, after starting 5-11 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
