UMBC

Matea Pender was named Tournament MVP on Sunday.

, Md. - The UMBC women’s basketball team (2-0) defeated Fairleigh Dickinson (0-2) by a final score of 76-58 on Sunday afternoon at UMBC RAC Arena as the Retrievers won the 2005 Retriever Tip-Off Tournament presented by Close Call America.  Columbia (1-1) defeated Morgan State (0-2) by a final margin of 85-78 in a double-overtime thriller to take third place in the tournament.

UMBC was led by All-Tournament Most Valuable Player Matea Pender and All-Tournament honoree Brittnie Hughes as Pender tallied 16 points and seven rebounds while Hughes scored 13 points with eight assists.  Hughes’ eight assists was a single game career high for her. 

UMBC held a 33-22 lead at halftime but allowed the Knights to close the gap to 44-40 by the 13:19 mark in the second half on a converted free throw by Shanay Freeman.  UMBC would send the game back to double-digits behind Hughes, as the Retriever point guard scored 11 points within a 2:30 minute span to give UMBC a 60-43 lead at the 9:35 mark.   

Hughes hit three three-point baskets and scored a jumper during her 11-point scoring span. 

The Knights were led by 13 points from Krissy Suckow, who finished 4-for-11 from the field and added five assists.  Mercedez Walker tallied 11 points and eight rebounds.

Amanda Robinson recorded her first double-double of the year with 12 points and 11 rebounds.  UMBC shot 47.6 percent from the field on 30-of-63 shooting from the field. 

In the consolation game, Morgan State and Columbia took two extra periods to get a final score as the Lions finally came out on top at 85-78 (2OT).  Megan Griffith led Columbia with 19 points, nine assists and five rebounds.  Morgan State received 22 points from Dominisha Britton. 

Members of the All-Tournament team included Dominisha Britton (Morgan State), Michele Gage (Columbia), Krissy Suckow (Columbia), Brittnie Hughes (UMBC) and Matea Pender (UMBC).  Pender was named tournament most valuable player.