University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Hawks completed a season sweep of Morgan State University (MSU), with a 58-57 homecoming night win Feb. 25 in .
Junior guard/forward Mark Robertson was truly the hot-hand for the Hawks, scoring a career-high 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field and 7-of-13 shooting from three-point territory. Robertson had just nine points in the first half before surging to a career night.
UMES outrebounded Morgan, 45-39, including 18 offensive rebounds. Senior forward/center Tyler Hines finished with a game-high 11 rebounds, while adding six points and four assists. Hines had an impressive nine offensive rebounds in his 30 minutes of play.
With 1:25 remaining in the game, UMES led 56-54 following a Morgan State jump shot, but was unable to score on its following possession, missing two shots from the floor.
MSU sophomore guard/foward Justin Black tied the game for the seventh time at 56-56 with 12 seconds left in the game. But a foul committed by UMES on a Morgan State fast-break gave the Bears the opportunity to take the lead at the free-throw line. The first attempt was good, giving Morgan State a 57-56 lead with 10 seconds remaining in the game.
Junior guard Percy Woods received the inbound pass from Robertson and sprinted the length of the floor. Making his way to the basket, Woods went up with a lay-up on the right side, and was fouled while the shot was in the air.
Woods’ shot rolled off the back iron to the floor, and he was given the opportunity to shoot two free throws. His first shot went in, and the crowd roared. In an attempt break Woods’ concentration, Morgan State called a timeout.
Back at the free-throw line, Woods had one more attempt to give UMES the lead and possible win with eight seconds left in the game. Again Woods’ shot went up-and-in, giving UMES a 58-57 advantage, but with more than enough time for Morgan State to take a shot at the win.
Morgan State inbounded the ball, raced up the court, and heaved a shot from just inside the three-point elbow. The shot rattled inside the basket, but popped out at as the horn buzzed.
Sophomore center Ian Chiles and senior guard/forward Aric Brooks led Morgan State with 11 points each in the loss. Senior forwards Ameer Ali and Kevin Thompson followed with 10 points each for the Bears.
UMES (7-20, 4-10 MEAC) will face Coppin State Feb. 27 while Morgan State (7-19 overall, 4-10 MEAC) will take on Florida A&M March 1.
