Baltimore, Md. – The UMBC women's basketball team (5-1, 0-0 America East) defeated Longwood University (2-5, Independent) by a final score of 71-51 on Saturday night at UMBC RAC Arena to move to 5-1 and reach five wins the fastest in UMBC's Division-I history. The last time the Retrievers started 5-1 on the year was during the 1985-86 season, the Retrievers last year before moving to Division I.

Brittnie Hughes led the Retrievers with 17 points and four assists as the junior point guard went 6-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Hughes in the last two games is a perfect 13-of-13 from the charity stripe and has seven consecutive double-digit scoring games, dating back to last season.

The Retrievers led 31-28 at halftime and held a 37-35 lead with 15:22 to play after Cassandra Smith scored a jumper for Longwood. UMBC responded with an 8-0 run to take control of the game as Hughes started the run by hitting back-to-back free throws with 15:06 to play.

The Retrievers would tack on six more points to their run as Mackenzie Butler converted two fast break lay-ups, one off an assist from Amanda Robinson and another from Hughes. Hughes scored the other Retriever two-pointer with a jumper as the Retrievers secured a 10-point lead with 12:58 remaining.

The Lancers came within six two times but UMBC would go on a 17-6 run to end the game and seal the 71-51 victory.

Smith led the Lancers with a 5-for-11 performance from the field and 2-of-4 outside the arc. Smith recorded 14 points and four rebounds off the bench. Keiva Small scored 10 points but left the game with 4:47 remaining after being called for her fifth foul of the game.

UMBC shot 49.1 percent from the field as Sharri Rohde and Matea Pender tallied nine points each to go with Hughes' 17. Rohde finished with eight rebounds and two block shots.

UMBC outscored Longwood 40-16 inside the paint and converted 14 fast break points in the game.

The Retrievers return to action on Saturday, Dec. 10 with a 5 p.m. tip-off against Lafayette.