Score: Morgan State 75 | Maryland Eastern Shore 72
Location: Hytche Center, Princess Anne, Md.
Records: Morgan State 12-16, 6-6 | Maryland Eastern Shore 5-23, 1-11
The short story:  Morgan State secured a hard-fought 75-72 victory over the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks on Saturday, fueled by a strong performance from senior forward Daniel Akitoby. Akitoby's team-high 23 points proved crucial as the Bears weathered a late rally from the Hawks at the Hytche Center. 

OPENING TIP

• Daniel Akitoby, the reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Week, shot 8-for-11 from the field and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, with four assists and a block in 38 minutes.
• Kiran Oliver added 17 points (6-8 FG), and Kameron Hobbs, who had 2 points in the first half, finished with 15 points and four rebounds.
• Cardell Bailey led the Hawks with a game-high 27 points (9-18 FG) off the bench and grabbed five boards with four steals. 
• Ketron Shaw, the No. 3 ranked scorer in the MEAC (18 ppg), contributed 15 points (7-14 FG) with seven boards, two assists and two blocks. 
• Evan Johnson and Hassan Perkins chipped in 12 points apiece.

THE DIFFERENCE

• Morgan State shot 50% (26-52) from the field compared to UMES's 41% (26-63). The Hawks knocked down 40% (10-25) of their three-pointers, while Morgan struggled at 27% (3-11).
• At the free-throw line, Morgan converted 77% (20-25) compared to UMES's 71% (10-14).
• The Hawks held a narrow edge in rebounding, with a total of 37 boards compared to Morgan's 33.
• The first half was a back-and-forth affair with six lead changes and three ties between two teams fiercely vying for control. Despite the seesaw nature of the game, the Hawks managed to carve out a slim advantage as the halftime buzzer sounded. They headed into the break with a 36-30 lead, with performances of key players. Ketron 'KC' Shaw led the charge with an impressive 13 points in the first half, and Cardell Bailey contributed 10 points to establish a six-point cushion.
• The Hawks, seemingly in control early in the second half with a nine-point lead, watched their advantage evaporate as MSU mounted a determined comeback. Shaw's jumper, pushing UMES ahead 43-34 with 16:30 remaining. The Bears, fueled by Daniel Akitoby's explosive eight-point surge, flipped the script, seizing a six-point lead with just under eleven minutes left in the game.
• Despite keeping the score close down the stretch, trailing by just three with 4:26 remaining, UMES stumbled. A decisive 9-2 run by MSU widened the gap, leaving the Hawks facing an uphill battle in the final 90 seconds, down by a daunting eleven points, 70-59. 
• In a thrilling, nail-biting finish, Bailey almost single-handedly orchestrated a UMES comeback against Morgan. His explosive performance in the final minute and 20 seconds, punctuated by three clutch three-pointers and two crucial free throws, injected life back into the Hawks' fading hopes.
• After Bailey's heroics, a forced turnover by the UMES defense led to a pivotal drive by Hassan Perkins, who not only scored but also drew a foul with a mere four seconds remaining. Despite Perkins' intentional miss and Morgan's subsequent miscue that gifted UMES one last possession, the Hawks' final shot from the corner, a chance to tie the game, fell short, sealing a narrow 75-72 victory for Morgan State in a game that will be remembered for its dramatic conclusion.

NOTABLE

• With the win, Morgan increased their series record against the Hawks to 60-42. 
• Morgan's road record improves to 2-12.
• The win strengthens Morgan's position in the conference standings, improving to 6-6 in league play.
• Kameron Hobbs eclipsed his 1000th point in the first half and and runs his career total to 1,1014 points.
• Daniel Akitoby notched his seventh double-double of the season.

WHAT AWAITS

• The Bears are gearing up for a Monday night showdown against the Delaware State Hornets on March 3rd, marking their return to the court. Tip-off at Hill Field House is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Adding extra significance to the contest, this game will serve as 'Senior Night,' a special occasion to honor and celebrate the contributions of the graduating members of the Bears squad.