BALTIMORE, Md. (Jan. 31, 2025)--The Morgan State Lady Bears will conclude their three-game homestand this weekend when they take on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Lady Hawks at 2 p.m. in Hill Field House.
 
Saturday's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) contest will mark the 91^st meeting between the two programs. These two intrastate rivals have built a competitive history with UMES holding a 47-43 all-time series lead. Morgan State however, has won 11 of the last 16 meetings.
 
This weekend's game is shaping up to be one for the books, and a key reason for that is junior guard Ja'la Bannerman, who is no stranger to this rivalry.
 
A native of Baltimore, Bannerman has been a force in this game against Morgan State the past two seasons, while playing for UMES. This time she looks to become an impact player for the Lady Bears. This matchup will be a poignant moment in her basketball journey as she faces her former team for the first time since transferring from UMES.
 
"I chose Morgan this go around because I felt it would be a great fit for me. I'm back at home and I always wanted to play at home," said Bannerman. "So, when Morgan recruited me out of the transfer portal, that was my number one go to."
 
In her two previous games played in this series at Hill Field House, both times Bannerman and UMES came away with the victory. Bannerman averaged 16 points in two games against Morgan State. In her first meeting against the Lady Bears during her freshman season, Bannerman scored 18 points in her return to Baltimore and added four steals and three assists. Last season she came off the bench to score a game-high 14 points and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line.
 
Bannerman ended her UMES career playing in a total of 57 games, making 28 starts. During her freshman campaign, Bannerman earned two MEAC Rookie of the Week honors and was named to the MEAC All-Rookie Team. She finished second in the conference in free throw percentage.
 
Her transition to Morgan State has already made a noticeable difference. A dynamic scorer and defensive presence, Bannerman has quickly become a cornerstone of the Lady Bears' lineup. However, she is coming off an injury that sidelined her for six games. She made her return last Saturday against Coppin State, checking into the game with seven minutes left in the first quarter.
 
"My mindset set is they know that I just came off an injury, so they know I have weak links around on the perimeter right now. But my mindset is to not even worry about them focusing on my injury and just playing my game."
 
Saturday's matchup is about more than just basketball, it's a homecoming filled with emotion. Facing her former teammates, Bannerman knows the challenge ahead.
 
"It's a happy emotion because it is my old school, and they do know how I play," said Bannerman. "I just want to go out there with happy emotions, a poised emotion and just staying happy and playing my game."
 
As the Lady Bears prepare for battle, all eyes will be on Bannerman – the former Hawk turned Bear – ready to again leave her mark on this highly anticipated showdown.
 
 
FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE 
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more. 
• Follow us on social media:
 Facebook: /MorganStateBears
 Twitter: @MorganStBears
 Instagram: /MorganStateBears

ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
 
 

 
 
FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE 
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more. 
• Follow us on social media:
 Facebook: /MorganStateBears
 Twitter: @MorganStBears
 Instagram: /MorganStateBears

ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.