UMBC

Brittnie Hughes and the Retrievers take on Albany on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Baltimore, Md. – The UMBC women’s basketball team travels to Albany for the regular season finale on Saturday at 2 p.m.  UMBC currently is 7-8 in league play, one game back of Binghamton (8-7 America East) as both teams are vying for the fourth seed in the conference tournament.  With a win and a Binghamton loss, UMBC will win the tie breaker and earn the fourth seed.  A UMBC loss or Binghamton win will secure UMBC the fifth seed in the league tournament.  Fans can follow the UMBC vs. Albany game with the Great Danes radio broadcast by going to http://wcdb.albany.edu/.  

RETRIEVER UPDATE:   UMBC lost for the second consecutive game for the first time since the middle part of January as the Retrievers fell to Stony Brook, 62-46 last Tuesday night at UMBC RAC Arena.  UMBC led at halftime, 30-29, but a 16-4 spurt by Stony Brook opened the game up in the second half as the Seawolves recorded the win.  After all the America East Conference action took place last week, UMBC’s playoff picture is starting to come into focus, with the Retrievers locking up the fourth or fifth seed and playing Binghamton, who will receive the fourth or fifth seed, in the quarterfinals of the America East Tournament.  The two teams will meet at 8:30 on March 10.  UMBC on the season is led by Matea Pender at 12.6 ppg, followed by Sharri Rohde at 12.5 ppg and Brittnie Hughes with 10.7 ppg.  Rohde also leads the team in rebounding at 5.9 rpg while Hughes leads in assists at 4.3 apg.                     

GREAT DANES UPDATE: Albany is locked into the ninth position heading into the league tournament and will take on either Maine or Vermont in the opening round game Thursday, March 9th.  The Great Danes are coming off a 77-56 loss to Binghamton last Wednesday night and is looking to snap a three-game slide.  Jen Schumacher leads the team with 10.5 ppg and go be very dangerous outside the arc. 

Who’s Up Next:  UMBC will take on Binghamton in the quarterfinal round of the America East Conference Tournament on Friday, March 10 at 8:30 p.m. in Hartford, Conn. 

RETRIEVER GAMEDAY

Game Notes:  UMBC against Albany is the Retrievers' 27th game of the season, 16th in the America East Conference and 14th road game.   The game marks the sixth all-time meeting between the two programs with Albany holding a 3-2 all-time advantage.  The game also marks the end of the regular season for both teams.  Earlier this season UMBC defeated Albany, 48-41, at UMBC as the Retrievers rallied from 10 points down for the win, snapping a five-game slide and sparking a six-game win streak.  UMBC will be looking to go on another win streak and add to its best season in the America East Conference as the Retrievers go for a .500 season in league play at 8-8.  Albany with two conference wins is looking to build some momentum as they head into the conference tournament. 

RETRIEVER QUICK SHOTS

- Conference Picture Coming Into Focus...The University of Hartford (22-3, 14-1 America East) has secured the top seed for the upcoming nine-team conference tournament. The Hawks will host the league championship on March 9-12 at Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.  By virtue of Boston University's (16-10, 9-6) loss to Maine on Wednesday night, Stony Brook University (18-8, 11-4) has clinched the No. 2 seed, while the Terriers will be the No. 3 seed.  University of New Hampshire (15-12, 7-9) has wrapped up the No. 6 spot and will take on Boston U. in the quarterfinals on March 10 at 2:30 p.m.  Binghamton (15-11, 8-7) and UMBC (15-11, 7-8) are fighting for the fourth seed, but regardless of how that scenario plays out, the two will meet in the quarterfinals at 8:30 p.m.  The University of Maine (9-17, 5-10) and University of Vermont (9-16, 5-10) are vying for the seventh seed and the right to stay out of the first round game of the conference tournament.  The University at Albany (6-20, 2-13) is locked into the ninth position.  UMBC was selected to finish ninth in the preseason poll and finished 10th in the league the last two years. 

- Swarming Defense...UMBC’s defense continues to be a daunting task for opponents as the Retrievers rank first in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to 37.2 percent shooting, fifth in three-point field goal percentage defense, keeping opponents to 31.9 percent outside the arc and second in scoring defense, holding opponents to 58.0 ppg.   

- Rohde Keeping The Retrievers Rolling...UMBC’s junior Sharri Rohde in conference games only ranks second in field goal percentage at 58.2 percent, fourth in scoring at 15.3 ppg, eighth in assists at 3.00 apg and 10th in rebounding at 6.5 rpg, making her the only player to rank in the top-10 in all four categories in conference games. Rohde has earned two conference weekly honors during league play and tallied 20-plus points on four occasions.  The Retriever forward has scored double figures in 13-of-15 conference games.     

- UMBC Among Nations Best Improved Teams...UMBC is one of the nations most improved teams ranking tied for ninth with seven more wins than last year. 

- No Place Like Home...UMBC finished the 2005-06 season with a 9-3 home record, its best record at RAC Arena since going 10-0  during the 1993-94 season.  UMBC’s nine home wins are tied for the fourth most wins at home in a single-season in UMBC history. 

Nations Top Improved Teams

School                    04-05         05-06         Dif.

Iona                       6-22           17-11         11

St. Joseph's            7-23           18-8           11

William & Mary      4-24           15-12         11

Stony Brook           8-20           18-8           10

IUPUI                    7-21           16-10         9

Wichita State          5-22           14-12         9

South Carolina        8-21           17-11         9   

Elon                       4-24           12-15         8

UMBC                   8-20           15-10         7

Providence             1-22           8-19           7

Retriever Up Rising

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 15 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 15 wins are seven more than its 2004-05 record of eight victories (UMBC recorded four wins in 2003-04).

            - UMBC’s seven additional wins this season ranks UMBC as the ninth best improved team in the nation (see chart on page 3)

            - UMBC’s 15 wins secures UMBC with its first .500 season since going 15-13 in 1993-94.

            - UMBC’s 15 wins is the most regular season wins since wining 17 regular season games during the 1990-91 season.

            - UMBC’s 15 wins is tied for the second most wins since the Retrievers turned Division-I in 1986-87.  UMBC’s top seasons came in 1990-91 (17 wins), 1986-87 (15 wins), 1993-94 (15 wins).

            - UMBC’s six-game win streak (ended Feb. 14, 2006), was the longest since joining the America East Conference.

            - The last time UMBC went on a six-game win streak was during the 1993-94 season in which UMBC set a school record with 10 consecutive wins.

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

            - UMBC’s seven conference wins is the Retrievers’ most wins in the league, topping the four-win mark set in 2003-04.

            - UMBC is 9-3 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. 

News and Notes...

America East Conference Ranked 11th in RPI Poll...America East has maintained its 11th ranking in The Collegiate Basketball News Women’s RPI Report and 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 31, followed by Hartford (39) and Boston University (75).  UMBC’s RPI is currently at 158, fifth in the conference.

Pender, Rohde, Hughes Reaching New Career Scoring Milestones...Matea Pender, Sharri Rohde and Brittnie Hughes continue to reach new career milestones in the scoring category.  Pender recently passed the 900-point barrier and is closing in on 1,000 career points.  Pender ranks 15th all-time on UMBC’s career scoring chart.  Rohde just cracked the Retrievers’ top-20 in points scored and has 761 for her career.  Hughes is closing in on 600 career points after passing the 500 mark earlier this year. 

Relentless Retrievers...UMBC has come-from-behind in 12 of its 15 wins this season, including three wins after trailing by 10 or more points.  The Retrievers overcame a 10 point deficit by Albany, a 16 point deficit by Vermont and a 13 point deficit by Maine in conference games.  UMBC also fought back from 13 down against Hartford to send the game to overtime. 

Lending a helping hand...UMBC leads the America East Conference for the second consecutive season in assists per game and ranks 25th in the NCAA Statistics through games Feb. 27, 2006.  The Retrievers to date have recorded 16.3 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 4.3 apg through 26 games this season.  The junior point guard has 112 assists on the year, setting a new single-season high for her.

Sharri Rohde Named America East Wilson Player of the Week For Second Time (2-12-06)...UMBC junior Sharri Rohde tallied a career high 23 points against Boston U. and recorded her second career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds against Vermont en route to her second conference player of the week award.  Rohde averaged 19.5 ppg and 9.0 rpg on the week.  Her first weekly award came for the week ending Jan. 30, 2006 after posting two 20-point performances.  Rohde that week averaged 20.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg, shooting 66.7 percent from the floor.

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 scored three three-point baskets against Stony Brook to jump up to third all-time.  She needs five more treys to reach second. 

R

ohde’s Perfect Day From The Field...Junior Sharri Rohde was a force inside at 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 82 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 ranks ninth all-time for starts. 

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 236 career assists, ninth all-time and 62 career blocks, tieing for ninth all-time.  Amanda Robinson ranks 13th with 49 blocks in her career. 

Hughes Joins All-Time Assists Chart...Junior Brittnie Hughes recorded three assists against Boston U. to join UMBC’s all-time top-15 for career assists.  The Retriever point guard currently has 213 career assists, ranking  tied for 10th all-time. 

Hughes Sets New Personal Single Season High Assists Mark...Brittnie Hughes with 112 assists on the year has set a new personal single-season mark for assists.  Hughes with 112 assists ranks second 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. 

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.