Baltimore, Md. - The UMBC Retrievers (0-4) lost to the United States Naval Academy (3-4) in women's basketball action on Wednesday night in Alumni Hall by a final score of 60-41. The Retrievers who never led in the game came from a 13-point first half deficit to come within a three-point basket of taking the lead but were finally subdued by a late run by the Midshipmen in the losing effort.
The Retrievers got off to a slow start shooting 1-for-8 from the field to open the game falling behind 8-2. The Retrievers then started their initial climb back into the game, knocking down six of their next 11 attempts, including consecutive baskets by Maria Brown (Frederick, Md./Frederick) and Anastasia Goncharova (Moscow, Russia/The Newport School).
Navy's Courtney Davidson ended the Retriever surge with one of her four first-half treys as the Midshipmen extended their lead back to double-digits. The Retrievers closed the gap back down seven with back-to-back jumpers by Sharri Rohde (Indianapolis, Ind./Frankiln Central) and Goncharova to end the half, trailing 30-23 at the break.
Out the intermission the Retrievers kept their bid for a come-from-behind win alive when Rohde drilling a three to cap off a 12-8 run that had the Retrievers down 38-35. Behind the defensive play of Brown, who mirrored Davidson the entire second half, holding her scoreless until the 4:56 mark, the Retrievers came within a three-point basket of taking the lead, trailing 41-39.
The Midshipmen, however, were not about to relinquish their lead they took from the outset, going on a 19-2 run to finish the game and take the 60-41 victory.
High scorers in the game for the Retrievers included Mariana Santos (Presidente, Brazil/Americana) with 10 points and Goncharova with 10 points and Brown blocking a career-high two shots.
Davidson scored 22 points to lead Navy, hitting 6-of-10 treys and going 8-of-15 from the field. Adrienne Roseti chipped in14 points for the Midshipmen.
The Retrievers return home to take on local foe Towson at UMBC RAC Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
