Feb. 28, 2005
Click here to listen to the women's game beginning at 5:30 pm Tuesday
Click here to listen to the men's game beginning at approximately 7:30 pm Tuesday
Click here for complete women's game notes
Click here for complete men's game notes
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The Women's Game
The UMES Lady Hawks conclude their regular season with a match-up against the last-place Morgan State Lady Bears Tuesday in Baltimore. The Lady Hawks, still with a chance to earn a first-round MEAC Tournament bye, are attempting to finish with a winning conference record for the first time since '97-'98. UMES comes in at 11-15 (9-8) following a 61-56 loss at Coppin State Saturday.
The Lady Bears, led by third-year coach Angelyne Brown, are in 11th place in the MEAC (2-14), but have won two of their last three games overall. Morgan's program has struggled recently, as this will be the Bears' 4th straight last place conference finish. Each of the team's conference victories came against 10th-place Bethune-Cookman.
News and Notes
The Lady Hawks are 9-8 in conference with 1 game remaining. The team's last winning MEAC season was in 1997-'98 (12-6)...PG Erica Bennett returned last weekend after missing 11 of UMES' previous 15 games for various reasons. Without her, the Lady Hawks averaged 25 TO's/game (11 games, 274 total), and with her 21 TO's/gm (15 games, 319 total)...G Ashley Chase is averaging 10.3 ppg (103) but 6.6 TO's/gm (66) the past 10 games. She is shooting only 6-30 FG's (20%) the past 3 games...Kristi Veltkamp is averaging 10.5 ppg (189 pts) the past 18 games after averaging 4.3 ppg her first eight games...Walk-on Toni Kennedy leads the Lady Hawks in scoring (10.6 ppg) but has struggled from the field the past 14 games, shooting 8-12 FG's at N.C. A&T 1/29, but a combined 35-132 FG's (27%) the other 12...Octavia Thompson, the Lady Hawks leading returning scorer from `03-'04, left the team due to personal reasons Dec. 6th. The senior was averaging 8.3 ppg in four games played.
Heartbreak Hotel
The Lady Hawks blew a 15-point second-half lead against conference-leading Coppin State and dropped a heartbreaking 61-56 decision to the Lady Eagles Saturday in Baltimore. Coppin ended the game on a 26-6 run over the final 12 minutes of the contest to steal the homecoming victory, and move within one game of clinching the regular-season MEAC championship.
Senior forward LaKesha Wills dominated this game, compiling 25 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 9-14 from the field. She had 11 of those points (4-6 FG's, 3-4 FT's) and eight of those boards in the decisive 26-6 Coppin spurt. The Lady Eagles put the clamps on UMES' offense during their big final run, holding the Lady Hawks to 2-15 FG's and forcing eight turnovers during the game's final 12 minutes.
UMES had led by 15 points on three separate occasions in the second half, the last time coming at 50-35 with 12:12 left, thanks to the continued inspired play of sophomore Qiana Cheatham, who scored 17 of her team-high 18 points (3-5 3's) before Coppin's late game run. The Lady Hawks used runs of 16-2 and 13-4 to build a ten-point halftime advantage, 33-23.
UMES Lady Hawks (11-15, 9-8 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
1/26 Coppin State* L 51-77
1/29 at N.C. A&T* W 85-75 (OT)
1/31 vs. S. Car. St.* W 63-53
2/2 at American W 62-59 (OT)
2/5 at Delaware St.* L 46-60
2/7 at Howard* L 41-67
2/12 Florida A&M* W 60-54
2/14 Beth-Cookman* W 54-49
2/19 Norfolk State* L 57-59
2/21 Hampton* W 62-57
2/26 at Coppin State* L 56-61
Upcoming Games:
Date Game Time
3/1 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 concludes its regular season with a match-up against the fifth-place Morgan State Bears Tuesday in Baltimore. The Hawks (2-24, 1-16 MEAC) have dropped five straight coming in, including a 47-point loss at first-place Coppin State Saturday.
The Bears (11-15, 9-7 MEAC), who lost twice last weekend following wins in eight of their previous 10 games, were tied for 5th place in the conference with two games remaining in their regular season prior to Monday nights other MEAC results. Morgan beat the Hawks 80-60 Jan. 24th at the Hytche Center for one of the team's two road victories this season.
Scouting the Bears
The Morgan State Bears (11-15, 9-7 MEAC) come into Tuesday's contest losers of two straight, following a terrific stretch in which the team won eight of 10 games, all in MEAC play. The team, which started the season 3-11 overall (1-3 MEAC), was in a fifth-place tie with two games remaining in their regular season prior to Monday night's other MEAC results.
The Bears, coached by former NBA player and head coach Butch Beard, have been a dominant home team this season, compiling a 9-1 record (7-1 in conference) at Hill Field House, with the lone loss coming to first-place Coppin State in December. Beard was MEAC coach of the year in `03-'04.
Senior Sam Brand, one of the best shooters in the MEAC, leads Morgan State in scoring at 13.9 ppg. Fellow seniors Aaron Andrews (10.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg), a second-team preseason all-conference selection, and Chris Grant (9.3 ppg) help pace the Bears attack. The Bears beat UMES 80-60 on January 24th, as Timothy Berkley led four Morgan players in double-figures with 16 points.
News and Notes
The Hawks activated two practice players last Saturday- juniors Terrell Harris and Jamar Taylor- and each played in the past three games. Neither had previously dressed for a D-I game...UMES is averaging 56 ppg through 26 games (11th in MEAC). UMES is shooting 38% from the field, 29% from three-point range and 61% from the foul line...UMES is allowing 79 ppg to its opponents this season (11th in MEAC), and three times has given up at least 100 points in a game...The Hawks are 1-13 away from the Hytche Center this season (and 1-11 at home)...The Hawks began the season 1-13 for the 2nd straight year, and 1-12 for the 3rd straight. In `02-'03, the team finished 5-23, and last season 8-21...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 (three currently active) 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.
King for a Night
The Hawks fell behind early to the Coppin State Eagles Saturday and could never rebound, losing their contest to the conference leaders, 100-53 on homecoming at the Coppin Center. The Eagles led 17-0 after four minutes of game action, and didn't let up en route to becoming the third team this season to score 100 points against UMES.
Nicholas King, who scored a game-high 19 points to pace Coppin (13-13, 13-4 MEAC), scored 14 in the first 10 minutes as the Eagles built a 35-9 lead. Darryl Proctor hit a jump shot as time expired in the half to give Coppin a 32-point halftime advantage, 58-26. The Eagles shot a blistering 64% from the field in the opening half (23-36).
The second half was much of the same story, as Coppin went on an early 14-0 run to take a 78-33 lead with 14 minutes left. A late free throw by Mike Creppy put the Eagles over the century mark, and gave them a 47-point victory.
Corey Brown led UMES with 12 points, while King led four Eagles in double-figures.
UMES HAWKS AT A GLANCE
Probable Starters
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG
3 Aly Samabaly G 6'3 200 Jr. 3.7 3.2
6 pts in 30 min. at Coppin...Has 15 TO's the past 2 games...Averaging 8.5 ppg the past 6 games (51)...Has started 19 straight games at PG...Career-high 14 pts vs. B-CC 2/14...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.
5 Corey Brown G 6'0 158 Jr. 12.0 2.0
Had 12 pts in 26 min. at Coppin...Averaging 17.3 ppg (104) the past 6 games...Leads team in scoring, assists and FT shooting (75%)...Averaging 4.5 TO's per game...Career-high 21 pts at Howard 2/7...2004 transfer from Mott C.C. (Flint, MI), won a JUCO national championship in `02-'03.
32 Ryan Leak G 6'4 185 Fr. 5.9 1.0
4 total pts, 38 total min past 4 gms (1 DNP) after averaging 10.1 ppg his previous seven games (71 pts)...Started at Coppin after coming off bench past 3 contests...Career-high 20 pts (11-12 FT's) vs. SC St. 1/31...True freshman from Jamaica, NY, averaged 21 ppg for Bayside H.S. his senior season.
33 Jareem Dowling F 6'6 235 Sr. 7.7 5.2
Had 6 pts and 6 TO's at Coppin...Struggling past 6 weeks, shooting 28-112 FG's past 15 gms (25%), and 20-85 FG's past 11 (24%, season 29%)...Career-high 22 pts at Baylor 12/22...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. 11.5 8.5
Had 9 pts, 8 rebs in 25 min at Coppin...Has 11 double-doubles in last 17 games (0 in prior 34 career games)...Averaging 13.7 ppg (247) and 10.2 rpg (183) the past 18 games, after averaging 6.4 ppg and 4.6 rpg the first 8 games...Career-high 28 pts, also 15 rebs at Howard 2/7...Career-high 19 rebs vs. Coppin 1/26...One of two returning starters from `03-'04 (Jareem Dowling)...2003 transfer from Ellsworth C.C. (Iowa Falls, Ia).
Reserves
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG
15 Louis Brookins F 6'6 215 Fr. 3.0 1.0
Had 8 pts at Coppin, after 4 DNP's and 5 total pts in previous eight games...Freshman from Silver Spring, Md., first recruit signed by Larry Lessett.
20 Terrell Harris G 6'1 175 Jr. 6.0 1.7
5 pts at Coppin...Walk-on scored 9 pts in 1st game of season vs. NSU 2/19...Played baseball for UMES in 2004, pitched 20 gms (0-1, 9.89 ERA).
21 Shondale Robinson F 6'5 208 Jr. 1.9 2.1
2 pts in 18 min at Coppin...Career-high 8 pts vs. Coppin 1/26...Already has scored 49 points this season (4 all last season)...Nicknamed "Texas"...Returnee from `03-'04, when he walked onto team in late December.
22 Jamar Taylor F 6'4 260 Jr. 1.0 2.3
0 pts the past two gms...Walk-on had 3 pts, 5 rebs in 1st game vs. NSU 2/19.
23 Anthony Davis F 6'3 190 So. 2.6 1.3
3 pts (1-8 FG's) in 23 min at Coppin...Career-high 9 pts vs. UMBC 12/1 + at N.C. A&T 1/31...2004 transfer from Bunker Hill C.C. (Boston, MA).
24 Stephen Kallman G 6'1 165 So. 0.3 0.2
Played in 12 games this season, total 21 min, 3 pts, 2 rebs, 3 FG attps...Transfer from Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL), did not play there.
30 Tal Cohen F 6'8 230 Fr. 1.3 1.0
2 pts, 1 reb in 11 min at Coppin...Struggled his past 14 gms; total 7 pts (0.5 ppg) and 11 rebs (0.8 rpg)...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 since 12/18 at Nich., played 7 games this season.
45 x-Jason McKinnon C 6'11 270 Sr. 7.3 4.9
No longer with the team since 1/24 vs. MSU...Played 15 gms this season.
UMES Hawks (2-24, 1-16 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
1/26 Coppin State* L 55-78
1/29 at N.C. A&T* L 59-74
1/31 S. Carolina St.* L 36-67
2/5 at Delaware St.* L 45-71
2/7 at Howard* W 88-74
2/12 Florida A&M* L 57-70
2/14 Beth-Cookman* L 58-68
2/19 Norfolk State* L 52-68
2/21 Hampton* L 55-70
2/26 at Coppin State* L 53-100
Upcoming Games
3/1 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 NBA games over three seasons, including stints with the Sacramento Kings (1992), Cleveland Cavaliers (`97 + `98), Golden State Warriors (`98) and Orlando Magic (`98). He averaged 2.9 ppg.
