LEIPSIC, Del. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a decisive first-half run and a persistent inability to connect from the perimeter, Delaware State held off Maryland-Eastern Shore 65-57 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Memorial Hall.

The Hornets improved to 6-14 overall, while the Hawks fell to 8-14.

The contest turned in the latter stages of the first half. With the score tied at 24 after a Dorion Staples free throw for the Hawks with 6:34 remaining, Delaware State unleashed a game-defining 10-1 surge over the next three minutes. The run was fueled by the three-point shot, a key disparity throughout the afternoon. Ademar Santos, a freshman from Stockholm, Sweden, hit a three-pointer, followed by another from Jalen Stclair. A jumper from Kareem Watson capped the burst, giving the Hornets a 34-25 lead they would never relinquish.

Maryland-Eastern Shore, which missed all six of its three-point attempts in the game, struggled to counter. Delaware State finished the half with a 34-25 advantage, having made 5 of 8 from beyond the arc in the opening period.

The Hawks, relying heavily on interior scoring, chipped away in the second half. A driving layup by Zion Obanla cut the Delaware State lead to 58-57 with 1:14 remaining, capping a gritty effort from the Houston native who finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.

That was as close as it would get. On the ensuing possession, Delaware State’ Miles Webb was fouled and made one of two free throws. After a Maryland-Eastern Shore turnover, Dean Shepherd was fouled and sank both free throws to push the lead to 61-57 with 1:19 left. The Hawks then missed a critical layup, and the Hornets sealed the game at the line, with Corey Perkins and Shepherd combining for four free throws in the final 28 seconds.

Delaware State’s efficiency from deep was the ultimate difference-maker. The Hornets shot 7 for 12 from three-point range, while Maryland-Eastern Shore’s 0-for-6 performance highlighted a stark contrast in offensive approach. The Hawks dominated points in the paint, 38-18, but could not offset the perimeter deficit.

Watson led Delaware State with 14 points off the bench. Perkins added 12 points and five assists, orchestrating the offense for 37 minutes. Shepherd, a local product from New Castle, Delaware, contributed 11 points, including several clutch free throws late.

For Maryland-Eastern Shore, Obanla’s 15 points paced the team. Joseph Locandro, from Melbourne, Australia, added 12 points and four rebounds. The Hawks shot a solid 47.8% from the field but were hampered by 12 turnovers and their complete lack of a three-point threat.

The game drew an attendance of 483 to Memorial Hall. Both teams continue MEAC play on Feb. 7, with Delaware State traveling to Coppin State and Maryland-Eastern Shore visiting Morgan State.