PRINCESS ANNE, Md.- Troyce Manassa scored 18 of his team-high 20 points in the second period to lift Savannah State to a 87-82 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore, in a contest played at the Hytche Center.

Manassa only hit four of 15 field goals but made 11 or 13 free throws while dishing out four assists.

The crowd of 1,783 saw UMES lead 75-70 with 5:24 left in the game, after a 3-pointer by Thomas Rivera.

Savannah State responded with ten unanswered points as part of a 12-1 run to go ahead 82-76 with 1:49 showing.

The Hawks would slice SSU's lead to 82-80 with 18 seconds left but could not get any closer as the Tigers made five of six free throw attempts to seal the game.

Dexter McClanahan added 18 points and five rebounds for Savannah State, who won their sixth game in a row, while Austin Dasent had 15 points, six rebounds and three assists and Joshua Floyd chipped in 13 points and four steals.

Savannah State led by as many as 13 points in the first half.

Down 40-28, UMES strung together a 11-3 run to make the score 43-39 with just over a minute left.

The Tigers closed out the first half with a free throw from Floyd and a 3-pointer from Casey Wells to take a 47-39 lead into the break.

In the second period, a 3-pointer by Jahir Cabeza extended the SSU lead to 58-48 at the 15:46 mark.

The Hawks responded with a 17-5 rally to take a 65-63 lead with 12:21 left.

The game remained close until the end.

Savannah State (10-12, 7-2 MEAC) shot 40.6 percent from the field and knocked down 13 3-pointers while hitting 81.5 percent of their free throws.

Dontae Caldwell was one of five players in double figures for the Hawks. Caldwell had 20 points and 12 rebounds.

UMES (7-15, 4-3 MEAC) out-rebounded the Tigers 45 to 41 while shooting 42.9 percent from the field.