UMBC

Annapolis, Md.-The UMBC men’s basketball snapped a three-game losing streak with an impressive offensive display, resulting in a 95-82 win over Navy.

The 95-point output was UMBC’s most since scoring 111 points in February of 2002, a 111-108 overtime win over Long Island University. The Retrievers snapped an eleven-game road losing streak, winning for the first time on an enemy surface since a win at Maine last January. 

The Retrievers improved to 5-7, as they finished the non-conference portion of the schedule. Navy dropped to 6-6.

Navy jumped out to an early 10-2 lead, but UMBC battled back to forge a 40-all halftime tie. The Mids buried eight three-point goals in the first 20 minutes, but UMBC countered with 54.8% shooting (17/31) in the first half.

Navy took its final lead at 45-44 early in the second half, but the Retrievers went on a 15-0 run to forge ahead 59-45 with 14 minutes to play. John Zito scored six points in the run, which was capped by a Jerrell Dinkins dunk. Navy whittled the lead to nine points on four occasions, the final time at 86-77 on a Carlton Baldwin jumper with 4:37 remaining. But, on the ensuing possession, sophomore guard Brian Hodges hit a three with two seconds on the shot clock to restore the lead to twelve points and UMBC coasted to the victory.

Five Retrievers scored in double figures, led by Zito, who amassed a career high 25 points and added a game high eight rebounds. Brian Hodges added 20 points, hitting four of eight from behind the arc. Frontcourt mates Jerrell Dinkins and Mike Housman added 14 points each, as Housman hit all seven field goal attempts. Zito, Dinkins and Housman combined to hit 24 of 35 shots (68.6%) from the floor.  

Junior guard Chris Pugh scored all 11 of his points in the second half and added nine assists. Freshman backcourt mate Jay Greene set a school freshman record with 13 assists.

UMBC hit 58.5% (38 of 65) from the floor, 7 of 19 from behind the arc and 12 of 13 from the free throw line. The Retrievers amassed 29 assists, two shy of a school record and outscored Navy, 52-22 in the paint.

Navy, which finished with 13 three-point goals, was lead by Kaleo Kina, who hit six three-pointers en route to a 24-point performance.

UMBC re-opens conference play with a home game vs. Boston University on Thursday.