UMBC

Baltimore, MD—Senior guard Kareem Washington continued his torrid play vs. America East foes, scoring 23 points, and sophomore forward John Zito added a career high 21, as UMBC (5-8, 2-2 America East) routed Hartford (4-7, 0-3), 78-54, at the RAC Arena.

Washington is now averaging 19.8 points per game and has made 13 three point goals in the four league games to date. He now has 975 career points.

The Hawks took their only lead of the game at 12-11 on a three-point basket by Bo Taylor at the 10:26 mark of the first half. Then, Washington hit his first three point basket to start an 11-0 run which put the Retrievers ahead, 22-12, at the 7:22 mark. Washington scored 9 of the 11 points in the run, including two trifectas and a traditional three-point play. UMBC continued to build the lead, and behind Washington’s 14 first half markers, led, 37-20, at intermission.

The Retrievers poured it on early in the second half, as they opened the final 20 minutes on a 20-7 run to open up their largest lead at 57-27 at the 12:05 mark and cruised the rest of the way.

Zito hit 8 of 12 shots from the floor to record his second 20-point game of the campaign. Junior guard Rob Gogerty (12) and sophomore forward Cory McJimson (10) were also in double figures for UMBC.

The win snapped a three-game home losing streak for the Retrievers. The 8 three-point goals and 78 points were a season high for UMBC.