UMBC

UMBC opens its seventh season of America East Conference play when they take on the homestanding Vermont Catamounts on Saturday, Jan. 2 at Patrick Gym. It is the Retrievers’ eighth road game in nine contests. Tip-off time is set for 1:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live by Fox 1370 Sports Radio (www.fox1370.com) with Steve Levy on the call. 
 
RETRIEVER UPDATE:  UMBC has played five games decided by five points or less and has dropped four of those contests. Despite 25 points by guard Chris De La Rosa and 24 from center Robbie Jackson, UMBC dropped an 89-86 decision in double overtime at Central Connecticut State on Wednesday. The Retrievers shot a season high 53 percent from the floor in defeat.

CATAMOUNTS’ UPDATE:  Vermont had the best non-conference mark amongst America East teams, winning nine of 14 games. UVM won a 71-69 decision at Mount St. Mary’s on Wednesday, giving the Catamounts eight wins in their last nine outings. Two-time America East Player of the Year Marqus Blakely averages 18.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

UP NEXT: UMBC will play at home for just the second time since Nov. 24 on Wednesday, Jan. 6 when they entertain Pennsylvania. It will be UMBC’s final non-conference contest of the campaign.