The Shore Drop Home Opener To UMBC
Courtesy: Shore Athletics
Freshman Tyler Jones (Atlantic City, New Jersey) poured in a career-high 28 points and grabbed four rebounds, while senior Bakari Copeland (Decatur, Georgia) scored 13 and grabbed 13 boards, but the University of Maryland Baltimore Country escaped the William P. Hytche Center with a 77-73 win.
The Shore stayed close trailing just 35-31 at the break, but didn’t hold a lead after 10-9 at the 16:01 mark of the first half. After fighting their way back to tie the game at 26-26, the Hawks faltered again and the Retrievers led the rest of the way.
“We didn’t play physical enough,” head coach Bobby Collins said. “We started the game not getting the 50/50-balls. How many unforced turnovers did we have? We worked so hard to get a 50/50 ball and we worked so hard to get a rebound and gave it right back to them. I bet I can go back and look at those turnovers and its part of the reason we weren’t able to close the gap.”
The Hawks lost the turnover battle 16-9. UMBC converted 11 of 18 free throws in the second half and 25 of 34 in the game. Eastern Shore was 6-of-10 from the line in the game.
“We have got to play more aggressive so that we can get to the free throw line as much as our opponent,” Collins said.
The Shore shot 46 percent from the floor and 39 percent from behind the arc, but Collins felt shot selection left something the be desired.
“That team didn’t have shot blockers, but we forced shots and we shot the ball quick,” Collins said. “Everybody was just so not in tune with what I wanted especially being physical and aggressive especially at home.”
Jones’ career high came two nights after he scored three points and grabbed a pair of rebounds in his Hawks debut at George Washington. He more than doubled his minutes, playing 28 after 12 on Friday.
“We knew Tyler was capable,” Collins said. “Being a freshman, there are going to be nights he gives us 28 and nights he gives us two. I’m pleased at what he did tonight, because he played like a veteran player — he was so poised and so calm.”
Copeland’s 13 rebounds were a were a career high and part of the team’s 40, which matched UMBC.
“We expect so much more out of Bakari when it comes to his rebounding,” Collins said. “Even though he had 13 tonight, he could have had 20. We saw several rebounds that he didn’t go on or rebounds that he lost.”
Dontae Caldwell (Santa Ana, California) added 10 points off the bench, while junior college transfer Logan McIntosh (Atlanta, Goergia) scored 13 and dished out nine assists.
Eastern Shore will next play at Boston College (0-1) on Tuesday (Nov. 15). The Eagles were stunned by Nicholls State 79-73 in their season opener Nov. 11.
After to losses the Hawks could employ a different starting lineup on Tuesday.
“I’m going to talk to my other coaches about it and going to make some changes based on what we come up with,” Collins said.
All games can be heard locally on Fox Sports Radio 960 AM WTGM or on www.EasternShoreHawks.com. Will DeBoer will have the call Tuesday from Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts on the Hawks Sports Radio Network.
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