Box Score WASHINGTON – Paris Maragkos led three American University players in double figures with 16 points, but UMES senior Devin Martin poured in a career-high 34 points as the Hawks scored a 79-64 win over AU in a non-conference men's basketball Sunday at Bender Arena.
The Eagles fell to 2-8 overall, while UMES improved to 2-10.
Maragkos hit all seven of his field goals and had three boards, three assists and a pair of steals for the Eagles, who shot 60 percent from the field.
Martin was 14-for-25 from the floor and hit four 3-pointers to lead the Hawks, who also shot well from the floor at 56 percent.
Dominique Elliott had 15 points and a game-high eight rebounds for UMES, with Bakari Copeland chipping in 10 points.
American held a 37-33 lead at halftime, but suffered a dozen turnovers in the second half. The Hawks finished the game with 15 steals and held a 39-13 edge in points off turnovers, including a 23-2 advantage after halftime.
The lead changed 10 times in a tight first half, and Maragkos had 10 points to lead the Eagles to the four-point lead.
Martin came out on fire after halftime, scoring 13 points in the opening seven minutes as UMES streaked to a 54-44 lead with 13:14 left. AU cut the deficit to 66-61 with 5:17 left on a 3-pointer by
Leon Tolksdorf, but that was as close as the Eagles came down the stretch.
American travels to LSU on Tuesday for an 8 p.m. EST start, then opens Patriot League play at Loyola Maryland on Dec. 30.
The Eagles' next home game is on Sunday, Jan. 3 at 2 p.m. against Colgate.
