UMBC

Towson, Md.—The UMBC men’s basketball team (1-2), playing for the third time in five days, struggled from the field again, and fell to host Towson, 60-55, at the Towson Center.

The Retrievers have failed to shoot at the 40 percent level in any of its first three games. UMBC could not solve Towson’s 2-3 zone defense, as they hoisted up 29 three point attempts, converting on only seven.

UMBC got a first half spark from freshman guard Jay Greene, who came off the bench and hit three consecutive three point goals to give the Retrievers a 20-15 lead with 10:26 to play in the first half. But Towson would outscore UMBC, 17-5, and forge a seven point lead before settling for a 32-27 halftime advantage.

The Retrievers quickly cut the gap to 32-31 by scoring the first two baskets of the second half, but the Tigers went on a 15-5 surge to lead 47-36 with 9:32 to play. UMBC made one final charge as freshman guard Tom Young banked in a three-point attempt to cut the deficit to 55-50 with 1:37 to play. But Towson ran down the shot clock on the next possession and 6-foot-9 Dennard Abraham scored from close range with 54 seconds to go to secure the victory for Towson.

It was Towson’s first win over UMBC in ten tries, dating back to a 1998 win at the Towson Center.

Senior forward Jerrell Dinkins was the lone Retriever in double figures, scoring a career high 13 points on six of 12 shooting. Greene did not score after his first half flurry and finished with nine points, while sophomore forward Rashad Bilal came off the bench to score eight points.

Towson outrebounded UMBC, 43-32, and hit 12 of 23 second half shots, compared to 9 of 29 by the visitors.

The Retrievers return to action on Sunday when they travel to Loyola. Game time is 6:00 p.m.