Preview: Struggling Hawks Face Tall Task at Longhorns AUSTIN, Texas (Interstat) — The Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks, mired in a seven-game losing streak, face a daunting nonconference finale against the Texas Longhorns at the Frank Erwin Center on Monday night. The Hawks (4-12) have not won since Nov. 29, a stretch defined by road losses to Power Five opponents like Virginia and Virginia Tech, as well as narrow defeats to mid-major foes. Their most recent outing was a 78-64 loss at Wagner on Wednesday, despite 19 points from Dorion Staples and 15 from guard Jaden Cooper. Cooper, the team’s player to watch, has been inconsistent but capable of offensive bursts, scoring 20 points in a close loss at North Carolina A&T on Dec. 12. He will need a standout performance for the Hawks to keep pace. Texas (8-4), ranked 24th in the latest AP poll, enters off a dominant 95-53 home victory over Le Moyne on Tuesday. The Longhorns have shown both high-powered offense, scoring over 100 points twice this season, and vulnerability, with losses to ranked opponents Connecticut and Virginia. Guard Tramon Mark leads a balanced Texas attack. He scored 18 points in just 26 minutes against Le Moyne and is coming off a 15-point effort in the loss at UConn. The Longhorns’ schedule stiffens considerably in January with the start of Southeastern Conference play, making this a final tune-up. The Hawks have relied heavily on Cooper, Staples and Zion Obanla, who had 12 points against Wagner. However, their defense has struggled, allowing an average of 76.6 points during the losing skid. Texas, under first-year coach Rodney Terry, has averaged 86.2 points per game at home this season. The Longhorns’ size and athleticism present a significant challenge for a UMES team that has faced a grueling early road schedule. This marks the first-ever meeting between the programs. Following this game, UMES opens Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play at home against Morgan State on Jan. 3. Texas begins its SEC slate at home against Mississippi State the same day. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.