January 5, 2011

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State improved to 8-8 overall and 7-1 at home with a 71-50 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore at Tiger Arena.

Ezinne Kalu led three Lady Tigers in double figures with a game-high 18 points.

Courtney Long and Jasmine Kirkland both added 13 points. Darice Fountaine chipped in 10 rebounds, nine points and six assists while Alisha Nelson had nine rebounds and five blocks.

The first half featured seven ties and seven lead changes as the teams went into the intermission tied at 26.
SSU led by four points early in the half while the Hawks held a six point advantage with 13:23 left.

Savannah State opened the second half with a 20-7 run to go ahead 46-33 with 8:55 left.

UMES got as closer as 46-36 but the Savannah State led expanded to 16 points with 5:43 remaining.

Leading 65-50 with one minute to go, Fountaine hit a jumper followed by two Kalu layups for the final points of the contest.

SSU out-scored the Hawks 45-24 in the second period as well as out-shot UMES from the field, 53.8 percent to 22.2 percent.

Savannah State won the rebounding battle 47 to 37 and out-scored UMES in the paint 38-18.

Amber Cook came off the bench to lead UMES (2-9) with 16 points and eight rebounds.