UMBC

Vestal, N.Y.—Junior guard Brian Hodges’ three-point play with 5.5 seconds remaining lifted visiting UMBC to a thrilling 73-71 win over Binghamton before 2,672 fans on the America East’s “Opening Night” at the BU Events Center.

The Retrievers won their league opener for the third time in four years, but defeated Binghamton for the first time at the Events Center. UMBC snapped a four-game losing streak and beat a Bearcat team that had won four of the last give games, including a win at Miami (Fla.).

With the game tied at 67-all, Hodges drove into lane and converted an “and-one” to give the Retrievers a 70-67 advantage with 1:11 remaining. Binghamton’s Duane James scored on the next possession and the Retrievers had the ball with 50 seconds remaining. But a Jay Greene inside pass was deflected and run down by Bearcat wing Steve Proctor in the corner. He flung the ball into the court and UMBC’s Thomas Young was whistled for a foul as Bearcat forward Lazar Trifunovic won a loose ball scramble. Trifunovic hit both ends of a one-and-one to give the hosts a 71-70 lead with 16.6 seconds remaining.

UMBC called time out and worked the ball to Hodges on the right baseline. He drove to the basket, banked in his shot and drew a foul on James. After Hodges converted the free throw, Binghamton’s Mike Gordon lost control of the ball on the dribble and Greene stole it and ran out the clock for the UMBC victory.

Hodges, who has scored 28 points and 33 points at the Events Center in wins over UNH and Stony Brook in America East Tournament the last two years, led all scorers with 22 points. He hit eight of 15 shots from the floor and all four free throw attempts.

The Retrievers hit a season high 58.8% from the floor, converting 30 of 51 shots from the floor. Hodges had ample support, as sophomore guards Thomas Young (6/8 fg, 12 points) and Greene (4/6 fg, seven assists, three steals) also scored in double figures. Freshman post Justin Fry added nine points (4/6 fg), while senior post Mike Housman added a game-high nine rebounds and scored all eight of his points in the second stanza.

Binghamton was led by Trifunovic and Proctor, who scored 16 points each. The Bearcats hit 12 of 22 shots from three-point range, including several from over 25 feet. The hosts hit 26 of 52 shots overall (50 percent). UMBC won the battle of the boards, 30-21.

The Retrievers are now 4-0 when scoring more than 58 points this season. UMBC travels to Stony Brook for a 2:00 p.m. contest with the Seawolves on Saturday.