UMBC

Brittnie Hughes has three-straight double-figure games and is closing in on 100 assists this season.

Baltimore, Md. – UMBC women’s basketball looks to continue its five game win streak as travel to Boston University to take on the Terriers on Thursday night at 7 p.m.  UMBC is searching for its fifth conference win of the season as the Retrievers try to move back to .500 in league play.  Troy Green will call the game live on www.umbcretrievers.com. 

RETRIEVER UPDATE:   UMBC extended its win streak to four straight games with a 65-53 win over New Hampshire, as the Retrievers’ four game win streak matches their most wins in a single season since joining the conference two years ago.  The Retrievers for the second consecutive game took control in the first half and never relinquished their lead running out to its third consecutive win by double figures.  UMBC was led by 18 points from Sharri Rohde as the junior guard 16.8 ppg and shooting 60.0 percent from the floor during the Retriever win streak.  Brittnie Hughes notched her third consecutive double figure game with 14 points while Matea Pender scored 12 points.  Pender leads UMBC at 13.3 ppg, followed by Rohde at 11.1 ppg and Hughes at 10.9 ppg.  Amanda Robinson is just off the double figure mark at 9.9 ppg. 

TERRIER UPDATE: Boston University is tied for second place in the conference with a 6-3 mark and comes into today’s game fresh off a 65-50 win over Albany last Saturday.  The Terriers outscored Albany by 11 points in the second half to pull away for the win.  Rachael Vanderwal scored a game-high 22 points as three Terriers hit double figures.  Vanderwal at 11.5 ppg leads four players averaging 11-plus points.  Cheri Raffo is averaging 11.3 ppg, Katie Meinhardt 11.1 ppg and Erica Kovach 11.0 ppg. 

Who’s Up Next:  UMBC returns home for its AE TV game against Vermont on Sunday at 12 p.m. in RAC Arena.         

RETRIEVER GAMEDAY

Game Notes:  UMBC against Boston U. is the Retrievers’ 21st game of the season, 10th in the America East Conference and 12th road game.   The game marks the seventh all-time meeting between the two programs with Boston U. holding a 5-1 all-time advantage.  Earlier this year, Boston U. dealt UMBC is only home loss as the conference foe defeated the Retrievers, 75-57.  UMBC shot below 40.0 percent from the field for the first time all season and sent the Terriers to the foul line 33 times.  The Retrievers’ biggest bright spot in the game was Matea Pender, who scored a season-high 24 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field.  Pender hit four three-point baskets en route to her third consecutive 20-plus point night.  Erica Kovach scored 25 points as four Terriers hit double figures.  Cheri Raffo tallied 18 points as well.  Terriers enter tonight’s game leading the conference in scoring in league play at 71.2 ppg.  UMBC will counter with its defensive presence that has held opponents to under 55 points the last four games.     

RETRIEVER QUICK SHOTS

- Swarming Defense...UMBC’s defense has been swarming the past four games, holding opponents to 44.8 ppg and 30.3 percent shooting during that span.  During the last four, the Retriever defense has held two of the top offensive teams in the league to season lows in field goal percentage and points per game.  Against Binghamton, who entered the game leading the league in points per game and field goal percentage, the Bearcats were held to season lows of 29.2 percent shooting from the field and scoring 37 points.  Binghamton’s previous season low was 53 points in the opener against Kansas.  UMBC held Stony Brook to 48 points, the first time this season they did not score out of the 40’s as they shot a season low 28.6 percent.  UMBC’s defense has 17 blocks (4.3 bpg) and 34 steals (8.5 spg) in the last four games. 

- UMBC Offense Complementing The Defense...UMBC’s offense has been complementing its defense lately, scoring over 60 points in the last three games and averaging 61.5 ppg and a 42.9 shooting percentage over the last four.  During that span UMBC has a positive 16.8 ppg scoring margin over opponents.

- Retrievers Ranking High In Conference Categories...UMBC is ranking high on a number of conference categories including leading the league in assists per game at 17.3 and field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to 36.9 percent shooting.  UMBC ranks second in scoring defense (58.0 ppg), scoring margin (+5.5 ppg), field goal percentage (43.4 percent), and three-point field goal percentage (34.8 percent).

- Rohde and Hughes Heating Up...UMBC’s junior duo of Sharri Rohde and Brittnie Hughes have heated up lately as Rohde is averaging 16.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.5 apg over the last four games while Hughes is averaging 13.3 ppg, 3.5 apg and 2.75 spg during that same span.  Rohde is shooting 60.0 percent from the floor over the last four, going 24-for-40 from the field.  Hughes is currently on a three-game double digit scoring streak. 

- UMBC Among Nations Top Assisters...UMBC in the last released NCAA statistics as of games through Jan. 30, 2006, ranked 12th in the nation with 17.3 apg.   The NCAA Statistics are released every Tuesday afternoon. 

- No Place Like Home...UMBC has a 7-1 home record this season with four of the final seven regular season games at RAC Arena.  UMBC moved past its toughest schedule after playing five for the first seven league games on the road.  UMBC’s best home record was a 10-0 mark during the 1993-94 season.

News and Notes...

Stern Continues Growth of Retrievers’ Program...Head coach Phil Stern continues to build the UMBC women’s basketball program towards the top of the America East Conference, having made progressive steps forward each year.  UMBC with 12 wins has surpassed its win total from the previous year for the second consecutive season.  Below are current notes on UMBC’s growth this season.

            - UMBC’s 12 wins are four more than its 2004-05 record of eight victories (UMBC recorded four wins in 2003-04).

            - UMBC is on a four-game win streak, the longest since joining the America East Conference.

            - UMBC’s 12 wins are the most since Stern’s first year, where he directed UMBC to a 14-16 mark.

            - UMBC the last two years recorded its best start since joining division I, this year opening the year 6-1.

            - UMBC’s four conference wins is tied for the Retrievers’ most wins in the league, set in 2003-04.

            - UMBC is 7-1 at home, the best mark since going 10-0 in 1993-94.

            - UMBC’s current success is coming as the America East Conference is ranked 11th in the RPI poll and third among I-AA conferences. 

America East Conference Ranked 11th in RPI Poll...America East has moved up one spot to 11th in The Collegiate Basketball News Women’s RPI Report and now ranks third among I-AA conferences. Only the Colonial (eighth) and Atlantic 10 (10th) are higher ranking I-AA leagues. America East has never finished as high as 11th in the final RPI for a season and never as high as third among I-AA Conferences. America East boasts three teams with RPIs in the top 100. Stony Brook leads the conference with an RPI of 36, followed by Hartford (40) and Boston University (78).  UMBC holds an RPI ranking of 175.

Sharri Rohde Named America East Wilson Player of the Week (1-30-06)...UMBC junior Sharri Rohde tallied back-to-back 20-point performances and averaged a double-double in two games against Albany and Stony Brook, leading to her first America East weekly conference honor.  Rohde averaged a double-double with 20.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg.  She shot 66.7 percent from the field making 16-of-24 field goals.  Rohde dished out six helpers as well while blocking a shot and recording three steals. 

Lending a helping hand...UMBC leads the America East Conference for the second consecutive season in assists per game and ranks 12th in the NCAA Statistics through games Feb. 6, 2006.  The Retrievers to date have recorded 17.3 apg.  UMBC has seven games with 20-plus assists this season, including 26 against Fairleigh Dickinson as the Retrievers came one assist away from their single-season mark of 27, set in 1985 against Shippensburg.  Brittnie Hughes dished out a career-high 10 assists against Lafayette and is averaging 4.6 apg through 20 games this season.  The junior point guard has 92 assists on the year, seven off her mark set last season.

Pender Reaches All-Time Top-20 Scoring Chart...Senior Matea Pender joined UMBC’s all-time top-20 chart for points scored after recording 13 points against IPFW.  Pender currently has 882 career points, 15th all-time.

Pender Becomes Fifth Retriever To Reach 100 Treys For Her Career...Senior Matea Pender recorded five treys against Drexel to become the fifth player in UMBC history to reach 100 career three-point baskets.  Pender needs five treys to reach fourth on UMBC’s all-time three-point baskets made chart. 

Rohde’s Perfect Day From The Field...Junior Sharri Rohde was a force inside against Hartford, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the field.  Rohde scored 14 points, mostly on inside post moves for layups or short jumpers.  UMBC’s single-game record for field goal percentage is 100 percent on 10-of-10 shooting by Monica Logan.  That record was set on January 4, 1997 against Niagara. 

Rohde’s Start Streak...Junior Sharri Rohde extended her streak to 76 consecutive starts and has not missed a start in her entire collegiate career, starting all 28 games as a freshman and sophomore and every one this year.

Rohde Moving Up Assists and Blocks All-Time Charts...Junior Sharri Rohde, who is UMBC’s active leader in assists, blocks and steals, is moving up the Retrievers all-time charts in the assists and blocks category.  Rohde currently has 213 career assists, tied for ninth all-time and 58 career blocks, ranking tied 10th all-time.  Amanda Robinson joined the top-15 for all-time blocks, ranking 14th with 45 in her career. 

Hughes Joins All-Time Assists Chart...Junior Brittnie Hughes recorded three assists against Boston U. to joining UMBC’s all-time top-15 for career assists.  The Retriever point guard currently has 193 career assists, ranking 12th all-time. 

Hughes Closing In On Single Season High Assists Mark...Brittnie Hughes with 92 assists on the year is closing in on her single-season mark of 99 assists set last year.  Hughes with 92 assists ranks eighth among all-time juniors with Shawne Heckler leading with 117 assists her junior year. 

UMBC Sets Attendance Record At RAC Arena...On January 26, 2006, UMBC welcomed seven local middle and elementary schools to campus for "Midday Madness,” as the Retrievers defeated Albany at RAC Arena in front of 1,312 fans, a UMBC women’s basketball record.  The activities for the day for the near 800 students included an educational speech from head women's basketball coach Phil Stern, a tour around campus guided by student-athletes, lunch in one of our dining facilities, and the women's basketball game at noon. 

UMBC Featured on AE TV...The second installment of "America East On Campus" showcased a feature on the UMBC women's basketball team.  The second show debuted on New England Sports Network (NESN) January 16 at 6:30 p.m. in a 30-minute window between two Atlantic Coast Conference basketball games, followed by a broadcast on Cox Sports Television at 9 p.m.  A streaming video will also be available through the internet via America East All Access, provided by CSTV.

Hitting the Airwaves...UMBC will hit the airwaves with six games broadcasted live on WLG-1370 AM, all home games and some away games via www.umbcretrievers.com and a televised game against Vermont on Feb. 12 at RAC Arena.  All WLG broadcast games will also run live via the website for fans outside the broadcasting network.  UMBC will also broadcast live stats via the web for all home games at RAC Arena.

Indiana Trio Make Most Of Trip To Hoosier State...UMBC’s Indiana girls put on a show in front of some family and friends against IPFW and Butler.  The Indiana trio combined for 31 points against IPFW.  Kristin Drabyn scored a career-high 14 points, all in the second half.  Sharri Rohde tallied 10 points while Heather Luttrell dropped seven points in the game.  The trio shot a combined 63.1 percent from the field, making 12-of-19 shots.  Against Butler, Rohde tallied a career-high 11 rebounds while Drabyn finished with her second double-digit performance, scoring 10 points. 

Hughes Earns America East Conference Co-Player of the Week (12-4-05)...Brittnie Hughes was named America East Conference Co-Player of the Week for the week ending Dec. 4, 2005.  Hughes led UMBC to back-to-back wins as the junior point guard averaged 18.0 ppg and 6.5 apg in two contests. Hughes opened the week at American, scoring a career-high 19 points with nine assists and a 9-of-9 performance at the free throw line.

Hughes Named To Second All-Tournament Team...When it comes to tournaments, UMBC junior point guard Brittnie Hughes has stepped up to the challenge, earning a spot on both all-tournament teams this season.  Hughes won a spot on the Retriever Tip-Off Tournament team after leading the Retrievers to the title.  At South Florida, Hughes averaged 15.5 ppg and 4.25 apg to lead the Retrievers to a 1-1 mark.  Last year Hughes was named to the 2004 Retriever Tip-Off Tournament team.   

Block Party...Amanda Robinson’s six blocks against Morgan State tied Eunice French for the most blocks recorded in a single game by a Retriever.  Robinson had three blocks in the first five minutes against Morgan State.  UMBC as a team blocked nine shots against Morgan State, Robinson’s six, Nicole Dixon recording two and Mackenzie Butler one. 

Pender Named MVP Of Retriever Tip-Off Tournament....Senior Matea Pender was named Retriever Tip-Off Tournament Most Valuable Player after averaging 14.5 ppg in the two games.  Pender shot .500 from outside the arc, making 5-for-10 while shooting 47.6 percent from the field on 10-of-21.  Pender added 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the two-day event. 

UMBC Captures Tip-Off Tournament Title...UMBC for the first time in the three-year history of the Retriever Tip-Off Tournament captured the title, defeating Morgan State, 72-50, in the opening round to advance the championship game against Fairleigh Dickinson.  UMBC went on to beat FDU, 76-58, to win the title as Matea Pender earned tournament most valuable player honors and Brittnie Hughes made the all-tournament team.   

Retrievers Picked Ninth In Preseason Conference Poll...The UMBC women’s basketball team was picked to finish ninth in the America East Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll.  Hartford was the league’s pick to win the conference after taking the league tournament title last year.  Boston U. and Maine were selected to tie for second. 

America East Tournament Returns To Hartford...For the third consecutive season the America East Conference Championships will return to Chase Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion on the campus of the University of Hartford.  Hartford has hosted the conference tournament the past two seasons, including winning the league tournament last season.   

International Students...UMBC has developed a reputation for having international students on its roster, including two in 2005-06.  UMBC has graduated two international students the last two years and will graduate senior Matea Pender at the conclusion of the upcoming season. 

UMBC Inks Two for 2006-07...UMBC head women’s basketball coach Phil Stern announced the signings of two student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to attend UMBC for the 2006-07 academic year.  Carlee Cassidy (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill) and Leanne Crockett (Manchester, Conn./Manchester) are both slated to become freshman at UMBC in the fall of 2006.