UMBC

Philadelphia, Pa.—For the first time since 1989, the UMBC men’s basketball team defeated a team from the Atlantic 10 Conference, as the Retrievers (4-5) defeated host La Salle, 78-67, (4-2) at Tom Gola Arena.

Leading 42-37 midway through the second half, the Retrievers went on a tremendous 20-0 run to surge ahead, 62-37 late in the game. The Explorers, who struggled with 22 turnovers, did catch fire late in the game and whittled the lead to eight points in the final minute, but Jay Greene and Brian Hodges made all eight of their free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

Hodges led all scorers with 22 points and added three steals and three assists. He led four players in double figures as Greene produced 16 points, Thomas Young added 13 points and freshman Justin Fry had a season-high 12 points. Greene also added eight assists, as UMBC shot a blazing 56.9% from the floor.

Fry got the start in place of sophomore Uwem Eshietedoho, who will miss several weeks with a sprained ankle suffered in practice. He hit six of seven shots from the floor and blocked a pair of shots.

The Retrievers led for most of the first half, building an eight-point advantage, but settling for a 32-27 lead.  UMBC has already won three games on the road (3-3) after going the 2005-06 season with just one road victory.