UNIV. OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SHOT DOWN BY AIR FORCE‏ Edward T. Jones 12/18/11 UMES C uts 10-point Halftime Deficit to Fall 64-60 in Hard FoughtGame Colo rado Springs, Colo. - Trailing byas much as12 points in the game, the University of M aryland Eastern Shore cut within one point of the lead late in the gamebut would fall to Air Force64-60 Saturday night. Three Hawks tallied double figures,while Pina Guillaume marke d his first 12-point 11-rebound performance ofthe season. Air Force manag ed its largest lead of thenight with10:06 remaining in thefirst period, but UMES conti nued to battle with the Falcons andwould trailby just 10 points at halftime. "We did a lot ofthings well,but just made some unforced turnovers," said head coach Frankie Allen. UMES won th e rebounding battle 36-26, and handled the Falcons on the offensive side ofthe boards capturing 17rebounds. "We won th e rebounding battle which was a goal for uscoming into this game," Allen remarked of histeam. In his debut game, Ron Spencer had a game-high six offensive boards and finished with eighttotal rebounds. Spen cer helped to light a defensive sparkfor the Hawks in his first start of the season. "Ron has the skill and abilityto be a bigboost for us," said Allen. On a playthat seemed like it would be an easy twopoints in thepaint ended up being Spencer's first block of season. He finished with three blocks, and scored 11points for the Hawks. Spen cer not onlyhelped thedefense, buthis 4-of-8 (.500) shooting from thefiles and 3-of-5 (.600) certainly boostedthe Hawksoffensive production. Team mate Pina Guillaume had a game-h igh 11 rebounds; five were offensive, and finished with 12points. Guillaume made a marked improvement given he had been averaging just under six rebounds per game enteringSaturday'sgame. "Pina's play wassolid tonight, and hopefully it washis comingout party."Offensively, Guillaume hit a crucial 18-foot jumper tobring UMES within five points (52-47) with 7:25 remaining. Guillaume's score came after a steal and score by Percy Woods that played into a Hawks 7-0 run. Woods steal gave UMES a spark that began its run, and etched into the 10-point advantage held by Air Force. Woods had a late game turnover that would put Air Force back on top, but played solid at both ends of the court. Woods finished with 14 points on 6-of-9 (.667) shooting from the field and made 2-of-4 (.500) behind the three-point arc. The Hawks steadily cut into the Air Force lead in the second half which began with a jumper by Spencer with 12:39 remaining. His score, while the Hawks trailed 46-39, was enough for Woods, Guillaume and Ishaq Pitt to also post scores. Woods steal and score cut the lead to five, Guillaume would score, then Pitt would hit a jumper to bring UMES within three. Following a foul on Pitt's shot, he would make the free-throw to close the gap to 52-50. Pitt would later make a lay-up to cut the lead as well as tie the game at 60 apiece with 2:18 remaining in the game. The Falcons Michael Lyons would score the last four points for Air Force. He would steal the ball and score, and make two free throws to secure the Falcons win. Given the come-from-behind attempt at the win, UMES outscored Air Force 28-22 in the second half. Air Force opened the game on a 9-3 run for the first 4:30. UMES will not have a contest for the next nine days, but will return to the floor against the University of Virginia (Dec. 27) following the holiday break.