UMBC

Baltimore, Md.—Four UMBC players scored in double figures for the fourth straight game as the Retrievers improved to 5-1 on the season with an 84-76 win Morgan State in non-conference action at the RAC Arena.

The 5-1 start matches UMBC’s best at the Division I level, which occurred in the 2000-01 season. Morgan State fell to 3-3 with their other losses coming by four points each at Connecticut and Miami (Fla.). The Bears’ previous season high in points against was 69 in the opener at U. Conn.

Senior guard Ray Barbosa led the Retrievers with 21 points, while senior forward Cavell Johnson posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. America East Player of the Game, junior forward Darryl Proctor hit nine of 15 shots from the floor in his 18-point, six-rebound, three-steal effort, and senior guard Brian Hodges added 13 points.

Morgan State senior guard Jamar Smith led all scorers with 25 points, hitting nine of 16 from the floor, while junior forward Marquise Kately added 22 points, a team-high eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Kately hit nine of 12 shots from the floor in 39 minutes of action.

UMBC never trailed, jumping on top 8-0 and extending the lead to as many as 20 points at 38-18 with 4:31 remaining in the first half. Morgan State had difficulty against the Retriever zone defense, but went on a 14-5 run to slice the lead to 11 points in the final minute of the half. But the Retrievers scored two field goals in the final six seconds of the half on a put-back by sophomore forward Justin Fry and a lay-up by Barbosa after a steal by junior guard Jay Greene.

The Retrievers extended their 47-32 halftime lead to 16 points at 65-49 with 13:32 remaining, but the Bears went on a 10-0 to come within 65-59 at the 11:05 mark. The key sequence would occur with Morgan State trailing 73-68 with five minutes remaining as they had three chances to make it a one-possession game. But they committed a turnover and Kately and Smith misfired and Barbosa hit driving layups on UMBC next two trips. Proctor’s inside layup with 1:04 left gave UMBC an 80-71 advantage and sealed the victory.

UMBC hit a season high 48.5% (33/68) from the floor and the Retrievers scored 70 or more points for the sixth straight game to start the season, also tying a school Division I mark with the 2000-01 team. They outrebounded the Bears, 41-36, as Barbosa contributed eight rebounds from his guard slot. Greene produced his third game with 10 or more assists at home this season as he dished out 11 and UMBC committed a season-low seven turnovers.

UMBC tied the all-time series with Morgan State at 11 each. The Retrievers turn around and play a rested American squad on Saturday in Washington, D.C.