UMBC

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.—The UMBC women’s basketball team (9-7, 1-2 AEC) dropped an 85-52 decision to defending America East champion Hartford (8-7, 3-0 AEC) Tuesday evening at Chase Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion.

The Hawks made 10 of their first 13 shots and jumped out to a 27-3 lead at the 12:25 mark, as the Retrievers turned the ball over six times and missed seven straight field goals in the first eight minutes of the game. Hartford led, 57-16, at halftime.

The hosts took a game-high 45-point lead, 69-24, with 14:53 to play in the game before five straight points from junior guard Carlee Cassidy (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill) sparked a 14-2 UMBC run that cut the deficit to 33 points, 71-38, with 9:59 remaining.

The Retrievers outscored the Hawks, 36-28, in the second half, as they shot 40.5 percent and held Hartford to just 36.7 percent from the field, though the hosts still managed 53.1 percent of their attempts in the game.

The only Retriever in double figures, Cassidy scored 16 points and was named UMBC’s America East Player of the Game. Freshman center Topé Obajolu finished with a team-high six rebounds.

Hartford guard Ilicia Mathis, the two-time reigning America East Rookie of the Week, was the Hawks’ Player of the Game after scoring a game-high 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting to lead four Hawks in double figures. Guard MaryLynne Schaefer posted a game-best seven rebounds.

The Retrievers return to action on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they take on America East rival Maine at 4:30 p.m. at the RAC Arena.