Morgan State and Unfamiliar Play Spoils Senior Night for UMES

University of Maryland Eastern Shore guard Kevon Voyles guarding Morgan State guard Isiah Burke. / Ray Rogers - HBCU Legends and Urban Sports Scene

By Wole Akinso

(@Wole_USS)

Princess Anne, MD-- It was “Senior Night” at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center and the students in attendance were amped for some men’s basketball between their University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Fighting Hawks and the visiting Morgan State Bears.  The Fighting Hawks were celebrating such seniors as guard Zion Styles, guard Kevon Voyles, guard Da’Shawn Phillip and forward Nathaniel Pollard Jr.  This was also the return of Hawks leading scorer Voyles, who was averaging 12.9 points per game prior to the game against Morgan State.  However, with all the good vibes for the Hawks, the Bears came into enemy territory and provided a nasty taste for Fighting Hawk players and fans.  In a sloppy war, the Bears defeated the Fighting Hawks 68-61.  

The Fighting Hawks started slow on “Senior Night”.  Maybe it was the theatrics of “Senior Night”, but they didn’t seem like themselves. UMES Men's basketball Coach Jason Crafton talks about what was missing against the Bears.

“I just don’t think it was our night. Plays that we usually make, we just did not make, whether it was just the pass or fumbling or something.  Even at the end of the game, missing some bunnies around the basket, things like that. We fought hard.  We competed.  We didn’t rebound as good as we needed to do.”

UMES were outrebounded 47-38.  Morgan State was quicker to the glass and quicker to loose-balls.  UMES also beat themselves on the free-throw line making 15 of 25 compared to Morgan State, who made 12 of 15.  In his first game since February 2^nd, Hawks’ leading scorer Voyles went 1 of 2 from line and cramped up at the 17:18 mark of the second half.  He later returned at the 12:21 mark.  Voyles was rusty, going 3 of 9 from the field and missing shots that he would normally knock down.  He ended the game with eight points.  Coach Crafton talks about having Voyles available to play Morgan State and in the future. 

“We probably played him a little too much tonight. Just trying to get him back going a little bit.  It’s important to get him back into playing shape and sometimes the best way to do that is to play.  And we’re not practicing that way right now, with all the injuries that we are dealing with where we are able to get those reps.  So, it’s good to get him back before conference tournament to get him those reps.” 

Morgan State forward Will Thomas set the tone early, scoring the first 10 points for the Bears.  The Fighting Hawks were trying to take away Bears’ leading scorer Isiah Burke, which led to Thomas’ quick start.  Burke finished the game with 10 points, but Thomas had a game high of 23 points. 

This all doesn't diminish what the seniors on UMES have done for this basketball team.  Coach Crafton has eight seniors on his roster that has helped get this team to a 16-12 record.  They have made this season one of the most memorable seasons in UMES men’s basketball history. Coach Crafton is very proud of this seniors.

“We didn’t play a great game tonight but that’s not going to take away from what these guys have meant to the basketball program. Just an unbelievable crew.  They’ve helped us raised the bar here and become a competitive program.  A team that’s going to go into the MEAC with high aspirations of competing for the MEAC crown.  So, I can’t say enough about these guys.  They’ve raised our team GPA to a 3.5.  Just an incredible crew, will forever remember them and appreciate everything they’ve done.”

The loss to Morgan State has dropped the Fighting Hawks to fourth place in the MEAC.  The MEAC tourney starts next Wednesday, March 8^th but before that UMES travels to Delaware, to take on the Delaware State Hornets.  They’ll need their usual performance to finish the season strong before tournament time.

Video interview with Coach Crafton: