Burns, Pitt score 16 points as Maryland-Eastern Shore downs American 65-58 for first win

Burns leads Md.-Eastern Shore over American 65-58

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — Tim Burns and Neal Pitt scored 16 points each to pace Maryland-Eastern Shore to a 65-58 victory over American University on Saturday.

Burns scored six points during a 15-4 run at the end of the first half that lifted the Hawks (1-5) from a 21-17 deficit to a 32-25 lead.

Maryland-Eastern Shore scored the first five second-half points to take its largest lead, 37-25, with 18:52 to play.

American (0-7) fought back, led by Stephen Lumpkins, who paced the Eagles with 15 points. His free throw gave them a 46-45 lead with 8:57 left and his layup put American ahead 48-45 with 7:43 to play.

Sean Berry put Maryland-Eastern Shore back in the lead, 49-48, with a putback off a missed jumper and his three-point play put the Hawks in front 52-49.

American got within two, 60-58, on Nick Hendra’s 3-pointer with 1:55 left, but the Hawks scored the final five points.