Morgan State University Athletics

Box Score PRINCESS, ANNE, Md. -- Ian Chiles had 22 points and added three blocks Monday night as Morgan State stormed out to a 23-point lead midway through the first half behind its 7-foot-2 center on the court and pummeled the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks 88-72.
 
Justin Black led all scorers with 24 points and six rebounds for the Bears, who shot a season-high 59 percent (34-57) from the field and 85 percent (18-21) from the free throw line. Cedric Blossom had a career night by posting 20 points with 11 rebounds.
 
The 16-point margin of victory was the largest for the Bears since defeating South Carolina State by 17 (73-56) on Jan. 11.
 
Morgan State improved its record to 8-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and 10-13 overall as they attempt to keep pace with league leader North Carolina Central.
 
Devon Walker (22 pts) and Troy Snyder (21 pts) scored over 20 points apiece for the undersized and undermanned Hawks, who played without a couple of their key players.
 
Francis Ezeiru and Hakeem Baxter left the game early on due to leg injuries in the opening minutes of the first half. Kyrie Jones did not play due to illness.
 
The game was tied at 9 apiece when Louis Bell knocked down a 3-pointer at the 14:26 mark. Justin Black answered with a layup that sparked a 12-5 run that included a basket by Cedric Blossom to give MSU an early 21-14 advantage. They widened the gap to 40-17 while the Hawks struggled to keep the Bears off the glass.
 
UMES (4-19, 2-9 MEAC) had no answers inside for Ian Chiles. The New Jersey product completed the night 11 of 13 from the field, and recorded six of the Bears' nine dunks before heading to the bench with 6:44 left to play in the game.
 
The Bears built a 42-22 halftime lead and Maryland-Eastern Shore never challenged after that.
 
Morgan State held a 41-27 advantage on the glass and limited the Hawks to 42 percent  (27-63) shooting.
 
The Hawks had a brief run that trimmed the lead to 17 points, but the Bears quickly answered with its own run and when Cedric Blossom drove into the paint alone and finished with a two-handed dunk. That made it 78-57 with 4:26 left to play.  
 
The Bears return home to host the Coppin State Eagles on Wednesday night at Hill Field House. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.  The game will be a 'Black Out' as MSU fans are encouraged to show their school spirit by wearing black to the contest.