SAVANNAH, Ga.- The Savannah State men's basketball team ended a three-game losing skid as Deven Williams scored a career-high 21 points in a 71-54 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore in Tiger Arena.

Williams went 8-of-14 from the field and made four 3-point shots.

The Tigers (18-13, 11-5) raced out to a 9-4 lead but UMES was able to tie the game at 11 with 11:44 left in the first half.

With the contest tied at 18 with 7:45 on the clock, Savannah State closed the period with a 19-6 run. During the run, Williams hit a pair of 3-pointers and SSU received dunks from Arnold Louis and Jyles Smith.

SSU led 37-24 at the half.

The Tigers shot 51.7 percent from the floor in the opening period while UMES shot 43.5 percent.

Savannah State stretched their advantage to 16 early in the second half but the Hawks used a 8-0 run to whittle their deficit to 42-34 with 13:21 on the clock.

Ahead 46-37 at the 11:22 mark, SSU scored 10 straight points during a 17-4 run that gave them their largest lead of the contest at 63-41 with 4:55 remaining.

UMES used a 8-2 run to close their gap to 65-49 with 2:07 left but could get no closer.

Rashad Hassan added 15 points for the Tigers while Louis had 10 points and 8 rebounds. Preston Blackman had 11 assists and 9 points while Smith blocked 5 shots.

SSU shot 51.8 percent for the game but were out-rebounded 34 to 32.

UMES (2-25-2-24) was led by Olatunji Kosile and Troy Snyder who had 12 points apiece. Snyder also had 11 rebounds.

It was the final game in Tiger Arena for SSU seniors Hassan, Louis, Blackman and Cedric Smith.