Women's Basketball | 1/15/2026 10:04:00 PM

SUMMARY 

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore extended its conference record to 4–0 with a 68–61 overtime victory against Coppin State on Thursday evening. The 4–0 start in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play marks the Hawks' best conference opening in over 25 years. 

Ashanti Lynch led UMES with 28 points, 15 rebounds and two steals. Kaliya Perry added 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks to help propel the Hawks to the win. 
 
THE SCORE 

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (11–10, 4–0 MEAC) — 68 

Coppin State (4–15, 2–2 MEAC) — 61 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

UMES opened the scoring on the Thursday MEAC matchup with a free throw from Lynch following a Coppin State technical foul. Coppin State jumped out to an early 6–1 lead after converting two free throws, a jumper and a layup. The Hawks responded by closing the quarter on a strong run to take a 21–15 advantage. Dayshawna Carter jump-started the surge by tying the game at 6–6, while Lynch led the charge with seven points late in the period. 
 
In the second quarter, both teams came away knotted with 12 points apiece. The Eagles opened the period with a seven-point run to pull within one at 22–21. Kaliya Perry answered with a mid-range jumper off an assist from Kalise Hill to give UMES a 23–22 lead. Carter followed with a jumper of her own to extend the margin to 25–22. Lynch closed the half by knocking down two free throws after a personal and technical foul, sending the Hawks into the break with a 33–27 lead.

Hill opened the third quarter with four consecutive baskets, pushing the Hawks' lead to 12. Coppin State responded with a 4–0 run to cut the deficit to 39–35. UMES gained back control over the stretch, as Desi Taylor connected on a mid-range jumper for the final basket of the quarter to make it 46–39. 
 
Coppin State's offense surged in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Hawks 22–15 to challenge UMES late in the game. The Hawks faced a one-point deficit at 53–52 after the Eagles converted four straight baskets. Taylor ignited the comeback by knocking down back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game at 58–58 and later force overtime at 61–61. 
 
In the overtime period, UMES locked in defensively, holding Coppin State scoreless on 0-for-11 from the field. Perry converted a layup in the paint, and the Hawks sealed the win at the free-throw line, knocking down four consecutive foul shots from Perry and Lynch to secure the 68–61 victory. 
 
BY THE NUMBERS 

UMES is off to its first 4–0 conference start since the 1998–99 season. 

Lynch led all scorers with 28 points to go along with 15 rebounds and two steals, marking her second 20-point game in January and third double-double of the season. 

Perry was the second Hawk in double figures, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks. 

UMES capitalized on 27 Coppin State turnovers, outscoring the Eagles 17–9 on the fast break. 

The Hawks recorded 12 assists in the win, led by Kalise Hill with four and Brianna Barnes with three. 

NEXT UP 

UMES opens a four-game road stretch Thursday, Jan. 22, with a 6 p.m. matchup against North Carolina Central University.