Tampa, Fla. – The UMBC women's basketball team (3-1) came away with a 67-55 win over Loyola (Ill.) (0-5) in the consolation game of the University of South Florida Best Western Roundball Classic on Sunday. Matea Pender and Brittnie Hughes each tallied 16 points in the game to lead UMBC to a 3-1 start for the second consecutive season. Hughes earned a spot on the all-tournament team.
The Retrievers fell into an early 8-0 hole, missing their first seven field goal attempts. Freshman Mackenzie Butler came off the bench and quickly put the Retrievers on the board, scoring two baskets in the low post to cut the Ramblers lead in half at 8-4.
UMBC took its first lead of the game at 12-11 on a Hughes jumper at the 11:10 mark but gave the lead right back as Jana Lucas drained a three-point basket for the Ramblers.
Erin Voss put UMBC up for good at the 5:38 point on a jumper as UMBC took a 20-18 lead. The Retrievers led 28-25 heading into the break.
UMBC built a double-digit lead early in the second period but saw the Ramblers come roaring back closing the margin to three at 42-39 at the 9:02 mark as Marquise Hanser drained one of her five three-point baskets on the day.
UMBC would go on a 9-0 run at that point to send the lead back to double-figures and Pender and Hughes combined for 10 of the final 16 Retriever points to seal the UMBC win.
Hanser finished 23 points and seven rebounds in the game for the Ramblers as three players reach double figures for Loyola (Ill.). Hanser went 8-for-17 from the filed and 5-of-10 from outside the arc.
UMBC did the most of its damage at the free throw line, making 16-of-20 shots from the charity striped in the second half. Sharri Rohde went 5-for-6 from the line and scored 10 in the game. Amanda Robinson finished with 10 as well.
Butler and Nicole Dixon both came off the bench to combine for 13 of UMBC's rebounds. Butler finished with eight points and six boards while Dixon grabbed seven rebounds to go with two points.
Jessica Dickson of South Florida earned tournament most valuable player honors and was joined by teammate Nalini Miller on the all-tournament team. UMBC's Brittnie Hughes, Psyce Butler of Robert Morris and Marquise Hanser of Loyola (Ill.) earned all-tournament honors as well.
UMBC returns to action at American on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
