Howard Loses Despite Career High by Frazier and Ford
Howard Loses Despite Career High By Frazier and Ford
Princess Anne, MD—February 4---Freshmen guards Simuel Frazier and Brandon Ford scored career highs of 20 and 16 points, but it was not enough to offset the balanced scoring of Maryland Eastern Shore that had four players score in double figures as Howard fell, 78-65 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's game at the W.P. Hytche Center.
Frazier, whose previous high was 14 points, connected on 6 of 10 from the field and 7 of 9 from the free throw line. Ford, who was coming off his career best of 14 points against South Carolina State, got most of his points from the charity stripe where he converted 8 of 11.
Prince Okoroh, another one of the five freshman who started their second straight game as a unit, scored all 14 of his points in the second half.
The Hawks (5-16, 2-6 in the MEAC) trailed through most of the first until a run at the end of the quarter helped send them to the locker room with a 26-25 lead.
That would propel UMES to a 31-11 run that opened a 55-36 lead at the 10:49 mark of the second half. Hillary Haley and Tyler Hines led the charge by combining for 22 of the points.
The Bison (5-18, 2-8 in the MEAC) scapped and clawed their way back in the game with fullcourt pressure that upped the tempo and allowed them to get within nine at 58-49 with 6:08 remaining. Okoroh and Frazier were instrumental in the spurt as they combined for 19 second half points between them, consistently attacking the basket and getting to the foul line.
Howard had chances to get even closer, but some missed free throws and key baskets from Haley, Hines and Percy Woods helped keep the Bison at bay and secure the win for the Hawks.
The Bison played part of the first half and the entire second half without junior forward Mike Phillips, who was injured after a serious fall under the Bison basket. UMES was called for an intentional foul and Phillips was taken off the court. He received stitches and a slight concussion.
"We played with a lot of effort early on," commented Howard Coach Kevin Nickelberry. "But once Mike Phillips went out with the injury, we never mentally got back into the game. For us to be successful, we have to get more bench production and get defensive stops at crucial times. Having said all that, I am still confident that the future is bright for us."
Haley led all scorers with 21, Hines and Woods added 16 and Ronald Spencer contributed 13 for the Hawks, who shot almost 60 percent in the second half.