Princess Anne, Md. (Mar. 5, 2009) --- Delaware State cut a 13-point second-half deficit to two before falling to Maryland-Eastern Shore, 55-52, in the regular season finale at the Hytche Center Thursday evening.

DSU had the final possession with five seconds left, but could not get off a three-point shot before time expired.

The Lady Hornets lost for the third time in the last four games to finish the regular season with an overall record of 15-14, and an 11-5 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The loss, combined with Coppin State's victory over Morgan State this evening, dropped DSU to third place in the final MEAC regular season standings. The Lady Hornets also lost their third straight at the Hytche Center.

The Lady Hawks won for the fourth time in the last five games to end the regular season at 14-13 and 10-6.

“This is a very tough loss because we dug a big hole for ourselves, and fought really hard to climb back into the game,” said Delaware State head coach Ed Davis, who fell to 108-50 in MEAC regular season games. “The bottom line is, we didn't make enough plays down the stretch after working so hard to come back.”

Delaware State hit just 7-of-25 first-half shots (28%), and trailed 31-20 at the break. UMES was 14-of-20 from the field (70%) in the first half.

The Lady Hawks opened up their biggest second half lead, 36-23, on a lay-up by Tiffany Reid with 18:13 left to play.

The Lady Hornets answered with a 9-1 run, and pulled to within 37-32 on a lay-up by Sonia Johnson with 13:47 remaining.

Reid knocked down three-point baskets on consecutive possessions, the second gave UMES a 44-32 lead with 11:03 remaining.

Delaware State fought back again, and pulled to within 46-44 when a Keyhana Wakefield lay-up capped off a 12-2 run with 5:24 left in the game.

The Lady Hawks opened up a 55-50 lead when April McBride hit one-of-two free throws with 1:00 minute left to play.

DSU closed to within 55-52 on a lay-up by Wakefield with 54 seconds left.

Wakefield tied her career-high with 19 points to lead the Lady Hornets, while Johnson added 12.

Reid was high scorer for UMES with 18. Her performance included 4-of-5 shooting from three-point territory.

The Lady Hornets will return to action next Thursday in the quarterfinals of the MEAC Tournament in Winston-Salem, N.C.