March 1, 2008

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PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Hawks Senior Day was spoiled by Coppin State University (CSU) as they fell 85-66 on Saturday night in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center. UMES bid farewell to one true senior, BJ Nimocks (Detroit, Mich./Cloud County C.C.), and two others who are graduating early, Brandon Moore (Baltimore, Md./Southern H.S.) and Jahmal Bivins (Baltimore, Md./Randallstown H.S.).

The Eagles scored the first 12 points of the game behind eight from Tywain McKee to silence any momentum UMES (4-26, 2-13 MEAC) had hoped to build from the pre-game ceremonies. However, the Hawks would respond as Ed Tyson (Baltimore, Md./Walbrook H.S.) nailed a jumper to cut the lead to 14-9 with just over 12 minutes left in the first half.

The teams traded buckets before CSU (12-19, 7-8 MEAC) capped an eight point swing with a Mike Miller layup to extend their advantage to 24-11 with 7:02 remaining in the first period.

UMES would battle back as they trimmed the score to 35-31 on an Ishmawiyl McFadden (Philadelphia, Pa./Simon Gratz H.S.) three-point play. The Eagles would take a 37-31 lead into the break after converting on a pair of free throws to close out the half. McFadden had eight points for the Hawks.

CSU opened the second frame with a 10-0 run that was led by Julian Conyers with seven of his own to make it 47-31 with 15:57 left in the game. They would take their largest lead of the contest, 23, on a A'Daeron Duncan three-pointer.

Omar Akram (Salisbury, Md./Baltimore International College) sparked a late rally with a tip-in that brought the score to 76-64, but the Eagles would use solid play down the stretch to seal the win. Akram recorded his first collegiate double-double as he set career-highs with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Tyson finished with a team-high 25 points in all 40 minutes of action for the Hawks. Nimocks had 12 points and seven boards in his farewell bid, while McFadden added eight points. Moore concluded his college career with four rebounds in limited action, while Bivins did not play.

The Eagles had four players finish in double figures, including McKee who led all scorers with 26 points. Conyers and Antwan Harrison added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Robert Pressey fell one rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine boards.

Both teams shot a respectable amount from the field but the difference came in three-point shooting where CSU finished a red-hot 54.5 percent, while the Hawks managed 33.3 percent. The Eagles also converted 87.9 percent (29-of-33) of their free throws whereas UMES connected on 68 percent (17-of-25).

UMES was dominated in nearly every category by the Eagles, but did have more bench points (22-17), while CSU held the advantage in rebounds (38-36), points in the paint (34-26), second chance points (19-15), turnovers (15-11), and more points off them (22-12).

UMES will travel to Dover for a regular season finale against Delaware State on Thursday, March 6. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 E.T. and can be heard on WTGM-AM 960 The Team or live on the internet at www.umeshawks.com.