BUFFALO, N.Y. – Binghamton men's basketball (2-5) couldn't dig out of a double-digit first-half deficit and lost to Maryland-Eastern Shore (3-5) 63-52 in the Queen City Classic Saturday afternoon at Koessler Athletic Center at Canisius College.

The shorthanded Bearcats played with just seven healthy scholarship players.

In the first half, Binghamton trailed 11-10 five minutes in before UMES used a 19-8 run spanning seven minutes to build a double-digit lead. The Hawks shot 50% in the first half, limited the Bearcats to seven field goals and forged a 36-23 cushion at intermission.

Binghamton opened the second half with a 9-0 run spanning 5+ minutes to pull within four, 36-32. But the Hawks answered with a 12-0 run to push the margin back to double digits. A seven-point flurry by junior guard Bryson Wilson brought the Bearcats back to within six, 50-44, with 6:02 left. Wilson hit a corner three, produced a steal and layup and another layup to spark a 7-0 run. But UMES countered with a 10-0 run and Binghamton could draw no closer in the final five minutes.

"We have to stop digging ourselves these holes in the first half," head coach Levell Sanders said. "Guys have to get better at executing the game plan. In the second half, we picked it up a bit but it's hard to play catch-up like that, especially when you aren't shooting the 3-ball very well."

Senior center Demetrius Lilley paced Binghamton with 19 points and 10 rebounds. It was his third straight double-double and fifth in six games. Lilley entered the game ranked second in the nation in doubles and 11^th in rebounds. Wilson contributed 11 points, seven boards and three blocks and junior point guard Jeremiah Quigley added nine points and four assists.

Binghamton will close the tourney against the host Griffs at 1 p.m. Sunday.