February 26, 2011

 

Princess Anne, MD—February 26---Hillary Haley poured in 15 of his game-high 26 points in the second half and Freddie Obame Obame scored all eight of his points during a key stretch to help Maryland Eastern Shore pull away to a 73-63 win over Howard University in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at the Hytche Activity Center.

The Bison (6-22 overall, 4-11 in the MEAC) jumped to an early double-digit lead and appeared in good shape when they took a 40-32 lead to the locker room.  Howard was propelled by the scoring of sophomore guard Anton Dickerson, who torched the Hawks for 24 of his team's points in the first 20 minutes.  Haley paced UMES with 11 points.

The Bison continued their sterling play for the first 5 minutes as Mike Phillips picked up his play and helped his team open its biggest lead at 12 at the 12:22 mark.  Then the Hawks began to use their bench wisely against the undermanned Bison and it paid off.  Howard went cold as a result of fatigue and it began to show as the Haley began to find the range from down town while Obame Obame proved to be effective the traditional blue collar way with hustle plays and second chance opportunities around the basket.

Haley capped off the UMES run with a three point basket that gave his team a 52-49 advantage at the 11:38 mark.

The resilient Bison hustled and scrapped in an attempt to stay close, but a rash of untimely turnovers and some missed shots doomed them.  Howard gave up 13 points off 12 second off turnovers while missed 15 of 22 shots from the field.

The Hawks (7-22 overall, 4-11 in the MEAC) were able to salt the game away from the free throw line by scoring all 10 of their final points from the charity stripe.

"We had a big lead early so it is important that you close out a game like this," said Howard Coach Kevin Nickelberry.  "You have to make free throws and you have to take care of the ball.  In the second half, we didn't."

Dickerson, who came into the game averaging 11 points per game but went scoreless in the previous loss to Bethune-Cookman on Monday, finished with a team-high 25 points, just off his career best of 26.  Philiips finished with his fifth double double of the season (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Alphonso Leary tallied 9 points and 6 rebounds before fouling out.

Haley was the only Hawks player to reach double figures.  Kevin White finished with 9 points and 7 assists.

The Bison will try to close out the regular season against Hampton on Thursday at 8 pm.  It will be Senior Night and Kyle Riley will be honored before the game as he will be playing his last game at home in a Bison uniform.

"Right now, we have to focus on finishing strong,"  said Nickelberry.  "It is chance for us to improve our position headed into the tournament and it is also a chance for us to send Kyle off in the right way in his last game at home."