Baltimore, Md. – The UMBC women's basketball team (1-0) defeated Morgan State (0-1) in the first round of the Retriever Tip-Off Tournament presented by Close Call America by a final score of 72-50 on Saturday afternoon at UMBC RAC Arena. Fairleigh Dickinson defeated Columbia in the opening game of the tournament by a final of 84-70 setting up UMBC and Fairliegh Dickinson in the championship game on Sunday at 3 p.m. Columbia and Morgan State will face off in the consolation game at 1 p.m.
UMBC struggled from the field to open the game going 1-for-6 from the field in the first five. UMBC, however, only trailed 8-5 at the 15:00 minute mark behind some stellar defense from Amanda Robinson as the sophomore center blocked three shots by 15:42 in the first half. Robinson finished with six blocks, tying Eunice French with UMBC's single-game top mark for blocks in a game.
UMBC broke a 12-12 tie at the 9:57 mark of the first half as Morgan Hatten drained the first of back-to-back treys to give the Retrievers a 15-12 lead. UMBC would never trail again building an 11 point lead by the 2:16 mark on a fast break lay-up by Sharri Rohde. UMBC took a 33-24 lead into the break.
Morgan State closed the gap to 43-35 at the 12:26 mark with a lay-up by Jennyffer Vargas but would get no closer as the Retrievers quickly pushed the lead back to double-digits on two converted free throws by Erin Voss and Hatten's third trey of the game.
UMBC shot 42.4 percent from the field on 28-of-66 as Matea Pender led the Retrievers with 13 points. Brittnie Hughes tallied 11 points and dished out four assists. Robinson added seven points and five rebounds to her six blocks.
Morgan State finished shooting 31.3 percent on 21-of-67 and went 0-for-10 from outside the arc. Robyn Munford, Dominisha Britton and Vargas finished with eight points to lead the Bears.
In the opening game of the day, Fairleigh Dickinson received 15 points and 13 rebounds from Megan Kirkland as four Knights posted double-digits in the 84-70 win over Columbia. Michele Gage tallied 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Lions.
On Sunday, Morgan State and Columbia will meet at 1 p.m. The Retrievers and Fairleigh Dickinson will follow at approximately 3 p.m. for the championship game. Following the final game a short awards ceremony will take place awarding the team champion, all-tournament team and tournament most valuable player.
