Dover, Del. (Feb. 9, 2022) --- Delaware State failed to recover from its lowest scoring first half in nearly 14 years, resulting in a 58-50 MEAC loss to Maryland-Eastern in Memorial Hall this evening.
The Hornets dropped their 16^th straight game to fall to 2-18 overall and 0-7 in the MEAC, while the Hawks won for the third time in four games to improve to 8-10 and 3-4.
Nathaniel Pollard, Jr. led a balanced UMES attack with 14 points on five-for-seven shooting from the field (1-1 three-point FG) and three free throws on three attempts.
Zion Styles added 13 points (5-9 FG) for the Hawks.
Delaware State's Myles Carter led all players with 18 points (8-16 FG), while reserve John Stansbury was the only other double-figure scorer for the Hornets with 10 points.
Delaware State trailed 27-15 at the half after hitting just seven of its 26 shots (26.9%) and committing  12 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
The 15 first half points were the fewest by the Hornets since scoring 13 in a 39-36 loss to Morgan State on Mar. 1, 2008, also in Memorial Hall.
Maryland-Eastern Shore was ahead 36-27 before running off the next eight points to open up their biggest lead of the game, 44-27, after a basket by Styles with 9:51 left to play.
The Hornets answered with a 16-8 run, and pulled to within 49-40 on two free throws by Stansbury with 4:45 left.
Delaware State the deficit to six (56-50) on a three-point field by Corey Perkins with 36 seconds to go in the game.
The Hornets improved their shooting in the second half, connecting on 13 of their 23 shots (56.5%) in outscoring the Hawks 35-31 in the final 20 minutes.
Delaware State committed 13 second half turnovers to finish with 25 for the game.
The Hornets return to action on Sat. (Feb. 12) at Howard. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. in Washington, D.C.