UMBC

Cory McJimson scored 10 points for the Retrievers against Ohio State.

The UMBC men’s basketball team (3-6) lost to Big Ten opponent Ohio State (8-4) in the Retrievers final non-conference game of the season by a final score of 60-44.  UMBC trailed 29-20 at the half and never could recover from the deficit as the Buckeyes extended their lead in the second half behind 45.8 percent shooting from the field for the game compared to 35.8 by the Retrievers.

The Retrievers got off to a slow start in the first half as 11 turnovers allowed the Buckeyes to jump out ahead in the opening stanza.  The Buckeyes took a 24-13 lead with 5:11 to play in the first period before a 6-0 run pulled the Retrievers within five at 24-19.  Rob Gogerty, Cory McJimson and John Zito all converted layups in the Retrievers short run.  The Buckeyes, however, responded by scoring five of the last six points in the half to take the 29-20 lead at the break. 

In the second half the Buckeyes increased their lead to as many as 21 before the Retrievers cut the lead back to 15 at 53-38 with 4:56 remaining in the game.  The Retrievers would not be able to get any closer as the Buckeyes took the 60-44 win.   

UMBC was led by Zito and McJimson with 10 points each and eight by Gogerty.  The Buckeyes received 19 points from Velimir Radinovic and 12 points from Tony Stockman. 

The Buckeyes shot 55 percent from the field in the second half and out rebounded the Retrievers 36-30 in the game.

UMBC will begin conference play when they travel to Albany on Friday, Jan. 2 for a 7 p.m. contest and then return home to host Vermont on Sunday, Jan. 4 at 4 p.m. at UMBC RAC Arena.