The Delaware State Hornets are gearing up to face the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks in a highly anticipated MEAC match-up this Saturday in Princess Anne, Maryland. Delaware State is looking to bounce back after a narrow 76-71 loss to North Carolina Central, where Mahogany Cottingham shone brightly, scoring a remarkable 20 points. This performance sets high expectations for the upcoming clash against the Hawks.
As the Hornets strive to improve their current 3-14 record and break their 0-4 streak within MEAC games, Cottingham's recent display of skill is a beacon of hope. The team's current performance sees them ranked seventh within the MEAC, averaging 55.4 points per game and shooting 35.2% from the field. Despite the challenges, the team remains determined to make a significant impact in the upcoming game.
On the other side, the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks, who have a 6-12 record, boast a commendable 4-2 standing at home games. However, their performance against teams with a winning record stands at 1-11. This statistic presents an interesting dynamic for Saturday's game. With the Hawks shooting at 37.8% this season, they're planning to capitalize on Delaware State's defense, which allows an average of 44.2% for opponents.
Key performances for the Hawks include Mahogony Lester, who averages 0.8 three-pointers per game with a 35.9% success rate from beyond the arc, scoring an average of 7.3 points. Meanwhile, Brianna Barnes, known for her impressive shooting skills, averages 8.4 points in recent games, maintaining a shooting percentage of 39.1%.
The Hornets are placing their hopes on players like Kiarra Mcelrath, who is averaging 13.3 points and securing 1.8 steals per game, along with Cottingham who continues to show promise with an average of 11.0 points in recent appearances. Mcelrath's and Cottingham's contributions will be crucial as the Hornets aim to improve their gameplay strategy.
Reflecting on the last ten games, Maryland-Eastern Shore has struggled with a 2-8 record, averaging 58.7 points, while their opponents have logged an average of 68.5 points against them. Conversely, Delaware State has faced a tough streak with a 0-10 record, scoring an average of 53.8 points and allowing their opponents to score 73.4 points per game.
As basketball fans gear up for this exciting MEAC showdown, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Cottingham and the Hornets to see if they can leverage their key players' recent performances to outmaneuver the Hawks and turn their season around. With both teams striving for victory, basketball enthusiasts can expect a game filled with hard-fought competition and strategic plays.