UMBC

Katie Brooks scored 21 points and was named America East Player of the Game.

ORONO, Maine—Freshman guard Katie Brooks (Maryville, Tenn./Heritage) scored 21 points and junior guard Carlee Cassidy (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill) added 22 to lead the UMBC women’s basketball team (13-11, 5-6 AEC) to its first road win of the season, 77-74, over America East rival Maine (3-21, 1-10 AEC) Sunday afternoon at Alfond Arena. The victory also snapped the Retrievers’ four-game losing streak and was their first-ever win on the Black Bears’ home court.

Freshman forward Erin Brown (Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman) scored six of the Retrievers’ first 10 points, as UMBC opened a 10-4 lead after three minutes.

The Retrievers led, 26-17, with eight minutes remaining in the first half after back-to-back jumpers by Brooks, but an 11-2 Maine run capped by a three-pointer by guard Kristin Baker tied the game at 28-28 with 4:30 left.

But UMBC responded by making six straight free throws to regain the lead, which was extended to 10 points, 43-33, with a 7-0 run that included five points by Brown with 1:40 to go. The Retrievers led, 45-37, at halftime.

UMBC shot 56.3 percent (18-for-32) in the first period, led by Brooks and Brown with 16 and 14 points, respectively.

The Black Bears scored the first six points of the second half and 17 of the first 23 to take the lead, 54-51, at the 10:40 mark.

The lead changed hands five times during a span of 3:20, but a layup by freshman guard Michelle Kurowski (Hicksville, N.Y./Hicksville) put the Retrievers on top for good, 68-67, with four minutes left. Twice Maine pulled to within one point in the final 40 seconds, but Cassidy made four straight free throws to seal the win.

Brooks was named the Retrievers’ America East Player of the Game, adding five rebounds, three assists and a steal to her 21 points. Brown finished with 16 points and five boards.

Cassidy’s 22 points included two three-pointers, giving her 73 on the season, which ties Jami Lange for UMBC’s single-season record. She also moved into second place on the America East’s single-season list.

Maine forward Brittany Boser posted a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds to earn her team’s America East Player of the Game honor. She led four Black Bears in double figures.

The Retrievers return home Wednesday, Feb. 18, to host America East rival Hartford at 7 p.m.