GAME NOTES: In the Progressive Legends Classic, the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks will clash with the Detroit Titans at Savage Arena.

There have been more lows than highs for UMES this season, as it has dropped four of its first five games. The Hawks nearly beat St. Francis-PA last time out, but fell short in a 57-53 decision. Part of the issue has been a lack of friendly environments, as the team has yet to play its home opener.

Detroit has been a bit more fortunate than the Hawks, with an even 2-2 split of four games. The Titans ended a two-game losing streak last time out with a 66-53 triumph over South Alabama.

The winner of this contest, the first-ever between the two programs, will play either Toledo or Bucknell on Tuesday depending on results of the matchup between those two teams.

The Hawks never trailed by more than eight points in the second half against St. Francis, but they could never get over the hump, shooting just 34.6 percent from the floor in the period. They turned in a 41.7 percent effort overall, which included a 4-of-16 showing from 3-point range. Michael Myers scored 10 points as the only player to finish in double figures.

As might be expected, UMES has not had much luck scoring this season, netting just 52.4 points per game on 36.6 percent overall shooting. The Hawks also have made just over 30 percent of their 3-point attempts. Devin Martin (12 ppg) is the team's best offensive option, but he was erratic against St. Francis, finishing with seven points on just 3-of-12 shooting. He was the only player to have more than 10 field goal attempts in the losing effort. Myers (10.8 ppg) is the only other player on the roster averaging in double figures. He is shooting a much better percentage than Martin (.448 to .297). Myers is the team's best rebounder as well (5.8 rpg), while Isaac Smith has handed out the most assists (14).

Juwan Howard Jr. scored 22 points and ripped down nine rebounds to power Detroit to its recent win over South Alabama. As a team, the Titans shot only 34.4 percent from the floor. Howard was part of the issue, making only 4-of-15 attempts. However, he made all 14 of his tries at the free-throw line. The Titans also survived a 48-37 deficit on the boards, while limiting the Jaguars to 32.7 percent shooting.

Howard (19.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg) is scoring at a prodigious rate, even though he is failing when it comes to shooting efficiently. He has made just 35.3 percent of his shots from the field, including a paltry 5-of-19 showing from beyond the arc. Anton Wilson (12.5 ppg) is next in terms of scoring prowess, and he has been lethan from long range in connecting on 10-of-15 3-point tries, and 65.5 percent of his total shots. He had 11 points against South Alabama. Paris Bass (10.3 ppg) is the only other player netting above 10 points per game, doing so as a reserve.

The Titans will continue to lean on Howard, so it would be beneficial if he could start to shooting better. However, even if he doesn't in this game, the Titans should have enough to get past the punchless Hawks.