UMBC

Washington, D.C.—The Retriever men’s basketball team could not make it a sweep of Atlantic 10 teams, as the host George Washington Colonials (7-2) defeated UMBC (4-6), 72-51 before 2,563 at the Smith Center.

The Colonials never trailed, scoring the game’s first two field goals, although after a Chris Pugh three-point field goal, UMBC had cut the deficit to 10-7 with 16:33 remaining. But the hosts turned several UMBC miscues into easy baskets and outscored the Retrievers, 28-7 over the next 13 minutes to lead 38-14 with three minutes remaining in the half.  

UMBC played a nervous first half, committing 13 turnovers and hitting just nine of 23 shots from the floor. Maureece Rice scored 12 of his game-high 22 points in the first 20 minutes. Brian Hodges hit three of five from behind the arc and scored nine first half points.

Trailing 40-23 at intermission, UMBC managed to cut into the lead as a Mike Housman layup trimmed the deficit to 43-29 with 17:39 remaining. After a missed shot by GW’s Travis King, UMBC senior guard Chris Pugh had a good look at a three-pointer, but misfired. Rice scored on an ensuing fast break, starting an 8-0 run, which gave the hosts a comfortable 51-29 advantage with 15:28 remaining.

The lead would not grow as freshman forward Justin Fry scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half, but UMBC could not make another serious run at last year’s Sweet Sixteen squad.

Hodges led UMBC, scoring 17 points and hitting four of six from behind the arc. After scoring 12 points vs. La Salle, Fry hit five of six shots to score a season-high 13 points. Senior forward Mike Housman nearly posted a double-double with 10 points (5/5 fg) and nine rebounds.

Guards Jay Greene and Chris struggled, hitting only a combined two of 19 shots and committing seven turnovers.

UMBC continues a challenging week, as they face Marquette in Milwaukee on Saturday.