Box Score Princess Anne, MD—Howard University got its biggest production of the season from its bench, but it was not enough to stave off Maryland Eastern Shore, which used a big run to close out the game and defeat Howard, 71-60 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
           
The Bison (13-13, 7-5 MEAC), who trailed by 13 in the second half, rallied on the strength of its reserves, using a 22-8 run over a 10-minute stretch to take a 58-57 lead at the 4:31 mark.
           
Howard Coach Kevin Nickelberry sat down his starters at the start of the second half and the reserves responded with some scrappy play and hustle that helped Howard get back in the game.  Keon Hill, who came into the game averaging less than two points per game, scored 10, while Theodore Boyomo (8 points), Kofi Andoh (4 points), Tyler Stone (4 points) and Brandon Ford (3 points) helped fuel the rally as they combined for 29 points.
           
"I felt that we needed to make a change," explained Nickelberry.  "UMES was coming off a disappointing homecoming loss and they were in a desperation mode.  I felt that those guys wanted to play and could UMES's desperation.  They did a heck of a job.  They got us back in the game and that's when I went back to the starters.  But they were not able to close it out."
 
James "JT" Miller led his team with 17 points, but James "JC" Carlton and James "J-Byrd" Daniel were rendered ineffective by the Hawks.  Carlton, who had been on a tear of late, with 15 straight games in double figures, and had averaged over 22 points in the last seven game--including 31 in the win at Howard--was held to nine points, seven under his average.
 
Daniel, who came into the game averaging 16 per game and who needed 10 to reach the 1000-point mark in just his second season, finished with one field goal.
 
"Sometimes you have nights when you don't play well and have an off night," said Nickelberry.  "That's what happened to them.  They are great players so they will rebound."
 
The Hawks (15-13, 8-5 MEAC) used their power to their advantage by getting to the free throw line.  Michael Myers, their bruising center, scored 22 points, 14 coming from the free throw line.  Devon Martin, who did not play in the first meeting between the two teams, led all scorers with 23, 14 coming after intermission.  Ryan Andino added 11 off the bench and Dominique Elliott 10.
           
UMES scored 10 of its last 14 points from the free throw line.  The Hawks were 23 of 25 for 92 percent from the charity stripe.
           
"Give credit to Myers; he was the difference in the outcome," said Nickelberry.  "I thought that the stats were pretty even with the exception of Myers.  He got to the foul line and he made free throws.  That was the difference."
 
NEXT UP:  The Bison travel to Savannah, GA to take on the Tigers of Savannah State next Saturday at 4 pm.