DOVER, Del. — In an exciting conclusion to the regular season, Delaware State emerged victorious against Maryland-Eastern Shore with a score of 75-68, thanks to a standout performance by Robert Smith who secured 26 points. This result positions Delaware State as the third seed in the upcoming conference tournament, while Maryland-Eastern Shore will enter as the eighth seed.
Smith was a powerhouse for the Hornets (16-13, 8-6 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), not only leading in points but also contributing significantly on defense with five steals. Teammate Kaseem Watson also played a crucial role, adding 21 points to the scoreboard. His performance included going 7 of 13 from the field and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line, while also collecting six rebounds. Ponce James contributed 12 points, shooting 2 for 7 overall but impressively 2 for 4 from beyond the arc and a perfect 6 for 6 from the charity stripe.
The Hawks (6-24, 2-12), though unable to overcome Delaware State, saw a strong performance from Evan Johnson, who led his team with 22 points. Hassan Perkins added to the effort with 16 points, and Cardell Bailey rounded out their top contributors with eight points.
These teams are now set to face off against other competitive squads in the conference tournament, with Delaware State looking to build on its momentum and Maryland-Eastern Shore seeking to cause an upset.
