MD Eastern defeats Howard 69-57
MD Eastern Holds Off Howard in Conference Thriller
Hytche Center, January 10th, 2026
In a hard-fought conference matchup, Maryland Eastern Shore (MD Eastern) edged out visiting Howard 69-57 at the Hytche Center on Saturday night.
The home team took control early, building a 12-point lead in the first half before Howard fought back to within eight points at halftime. However, MD Eastern's strong defensive effort and timely free throws allowed them to extend their lead throughout the second half, ultimately securing a 12-point victory.
Key Performance
Junior guard Marcus Thompson led MD Eastern with a balanced 17 points on 7-15 shooting from the field, including two three-pointers, while also grabbing five rebounds. The Baltimore native played a crucial role in containing Howard's top scorer, allowing just six points for the visitor's most prolific player.
Game Flow
The first half was marked by back-and-forth action, with both teams trading baskets and displaying tenacious defense. MD Eastern took control early, building a 12-point lead on a pair of three-pointers from Thompson. Howard responded with an 8-0 run to cut the deficit in half, but couldn't find an equalizer going into halftime.
Advanced Statistics
MD Eastern's strong defensive performance was reflected in their advanced statistics: 51.0% eFG%, 44.0% FT Rate, and a TO Ratio of 24.3%. The team also outrebounded Howard 33-38 but managed to secure the edge due to its superior rebounding margin.
Key Statistics
* MD Eastern (HOME): 22/50 FG (44.0%), 18/22 FT (82.0%)
* Howard (AWAY): 22/58 FG (38.0%), 7/11 FT (64.0%)
The home team's balanced performance and timely free throws ultimately gave them the edge in a closely contested matchup.