UMBC

Baltimore, MD-An inspired UMBC men's basketball team snapped a nine-game losing streak as they thrashed playoff-bound Quinnpiac (16-11, 10-8 NEC) , 80-58, in the season finale for the Retrievers. UMBC finished the season at 7-20 overall, 5-13 in the league, but will not advance to the eight-team NEC Tournament. The Retrievers dominated the Bobcats on the glass, outrebounding them, 54-31, including 21 offensive boards. Five Retrievers scored in double figures, led by freshman forward John Zito's 17 points, a season-high 16 points from sophomore guard Rob Gogerty, and a season-high 12 points for senior forward Andre Williams, competing for the final time for UMBC. Quinnipiac, which handed UMBC its worst NEC loss ever (87-66) three weeks ago, has yet to win a game at the RAC Arena, falling to 0-5. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Bobcats. The game was tight throughout the first half with six ties, but UMBC maintained a 35-32 advantage at intermission. Quinnipiac sophomore forward C.J. Vick completed a three-point play to keep his team within three points at 45-42 with 15:32 to play, but UMBC went on a 14-1 run to built the lead to 59-43 with 8:51 remaining. Zito and Gogerty combined for nine points in the run. Quinnipiac would not close within 13 points the rest of the way. UMBC leading scorer Kareem Washington did not start because of an injured ankle, but came off the bench to score 12 points. His replacement, freshman guard Jerrell Dinkins, scored 7 points, but added a game-high 11 rebounds. Sophomore center Andrew Feeley was the fifth Retriever in double figures with 10 points and he added 4 blocked shots. Feeley and Zito each had 8 rebounds, while Gogerty added 5 assists and 0 turnovers in 40 minutes of action. Vick led Quinnipiac with 18 points, and sophomore guard Rob Monroe added 14. But QU shot just 32.3% (20/62) from the floor. It is the first time since 1991-92 that UMBC will not play in a post-season league tournament.