Mahogany Lester’s career night powers Maryland Eastern Shore past North Carolina Central, 78-61

^{title image via UMES Basketball}

Courtesy of Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics

61

NCCU

78

Winner UMES

The Short Story:  In its first home game in three weeks, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore women’s basketball team didn’t show any home rust as the Hawks picked up their second MEAC win as many games 78-61 over North Carolina Central on Saturday afternoon at the Hytche Athletic Center.

THE GAME FACTS
Score: UMES 78, NC Central 61
Location: Princess Anne, Md.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Most of the first quarter between UMES and the Eagles was the tale of stretches. NCCU opened the contest with the first four points of the game before the Hawks went on a 10-2 run to take a 10-6 lead with 5:02 on the clock. An Eagle three pointer cut the deficit down to one, but that was the closest they would get the reaming time of the first as UMES led 15-13 going in to the second. Mahogany Lesterled all scorers with six points and Ja’la Bannerman was right behind with five points in the first 10 minutes.
• By 8:30 in the second, the teams were tied up at 15-15 on a pair of NCCU free throws. A quick 5-0 run by the Hawks, capped by a Mya Thomas jumper at 6:58, put UMES back on top. An Eagles three at 5:18 cut the Hawk lead down to 22-21, but back-to-back threes by Chaniqwa Gilliam reestablished a seven-point lead for UMES with 3:40 left in the half. On a Zamara Haynes jumper with 1:49 on the lock, the Hawks took their biggest lead at eight, 32-24, before settling in for a 34-29 lead heading into the locker room.
• The third quarter was once again full of runs by both teams. An 11-4 run to start the half by the Hawks saw them push their lead up to 12, 45-33. It was answered by an NCCU run of 9-2 to cut the lead down to just five points, 47-42 with 4:58 in the third quarter. A 13-4 run to end the quarter by UMES was capped by a floating jumper by Haynes as the quarter ended.
• Leading 60-46 heading into the final quarter, the teams started off trading baskets with the Hawks getting a layup from Thomas with 5:46 remaining and a jumper by Lainey Allen at 5:23 saw the Hawks extend to their biggest lead of 18, 69-51, forcing an NCCU timeout. The Eagles would come out and hit a pair of threes while cutting the UMES lead down to 13 with 2:51 left in the game. Going back and forth once again saw the Hawks slightly extend their lead and hold on for the 78-61 win over the Eagles.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Lester led all scorers with a career-high 20 points, breaking her previous high of 16 against Washington College on Nov. 12, 2022.
• In addition to Lester’s 20 points, three other Hawks reached double-figures. Bannerman and Thomas each had 13 points, while Allen finished with 10 points.
• Allen once again nearly had a double-double with eight points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Meanwhile the Hawks lead NCCU in rebounds 44-38.
• The win improves UMES to 2-2 in the MEAC and 9-10 overall.
• The Hawks had the advantage over NCCU in points in the paint (30-20), second-chance points (23-16), fast break points (15-12), and points off the bench (25-18).
• The Eagles were led by Morgan Callahan’s 20 points and 10 rebounds.

UP NEXT

• UMES is back on the court on Monday, January 29 when it hosts South Carolina State in a MEAC contest at the Hytche Athletic Center. Game time with the Bulldogs is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Next Game:
South Carolina State University
1/29/2024 | 5:30 PM

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