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News Release

UMBC GIVES UP 43 SECOND-HALF POINTS, LOSES LEAD AND GAME TO LONG BEACH, 81-70

12/22/2005

Long Beach, Calif.—The host Long Beach State 49’ers (3-6) hit 12 three-point goals and overcame a six-point second half deficit to defeat the Retrievers (4-6), 81-70, at the Walter Pyramid.

Junior guard Chris Pugh scored a career high 19 points, hitting seven of 13 shots from the floor. Also scoring in double figures for UMBC were senior forward John Zito, who scored 17 of his 18 points in the first half, Jerrell Dinkins who posted 12 points and Jay Greene, who scored 11 in his first career start.

UMBC led 39-38 at intermission, and extended the lead to 48-41 on a free throw by Dinkins with 14:38 remaining. But UMBC did not capitalize on poor Long Beach shooting (2/13) early in the second half as the Retrievers missed 14 of their first 19 shots in the final 20 minutes. The Retrievers still led, 54-49, on a Greene layup with 8:58 remaining, but LBSU went on a 14-2 run, helped by three consecutive UMBC turnovers, to lead 63-56 with 5:06 to play. UMBC could not cut the margin to within striking distance the rest of the way.

Zito hit 7 of 8 shots in the first half, but only attempted one field goal in the second half. The Retrievers also committed nine second half turnovers.

UMBC plays Virginia in Richmond next Wednesday.