Durham, N.H. – The UMBC women's basketball team (8-4, 0-1 AE) held an 11-point lead with 9:33 to play in the second half but was overcome down the stretch, falling to New Hampshire (9-3, 1-0 AE) 68-61 in both schools America East Conference opener on Wednesday night at Lundholm Gymnasium. UMBC was led by Matea Pender with a team-high 20 points.

UMBC trailed 30-26 until Brittnie Hughes with 11 seconds remaining in the first half drained a three-point basket, pulling UMBC within one at 30-29 heading into the break. The first half featured 10 lead changes and five ties with neither team holding more than a five point lead.

In the second half New Hampshire was held with out a field goal until the 12:45 mark, making their way with seven points at the free throw line in the first seven minutes of the half.

UMBC took advantage of the scoring drought as Pender drained a trey with 15:49 on the clock, giving UMBC a 38-37 lead. The Retrievers turned Pender's three into a 9-0 run with Pender scoring seven of the nine points.

UMBC led 44-37 until Ebony Woods broke the Wildcats scoring drought, knocking down a three-point basket to close the UMBC gap to 44-40. UMBC responded with seven consecutive points to take its largest lead of the game at 51-40 with 9:33 on the clock.

Danielle Clark and Ray Williams started the Wildcats rally, combining for 11 of the Wildcats next 16 points, culminating in a Williams' free throw to tie the game at 56-56 with 5:01 on the clock.

UMBC regained the lead as Pender drained a free throw only to see Clark knock down a trey from the base line giving New Hampshire a 59-57 advantage with 4:12 remaining. New Hampshire would not relinquish its lead down the stretch, going 6-of-8 from the charity stripe.

New Hampshire finished 20-of-23 at the foul line, making 19 trips in the second half compared to four in the first stanza. The Wildcats were led by 24 points from Clark and 17 from Ebony Woods. New Hampshire out rebounded UMBC, 42-31, corralling 19 offensive boards.

Pender shot 7-of-14 from the field and was perfect from outside the arc, going 3-for-3 for 20 points on the night. It was Pender's second consecutive 20-point performance and sixth straight game in double figures. Sharri Rohde went 6-for-8 from the field with 13 points and Amanda Robinson finished with 10 points. Pender led UMBC with seven rebounds while Hughes dished out a team-high six assists. 

Durham, N.H. – The UMBC women's basketball team (8-4, 0-1 AE) held an 11-point lead with 9:33 to play in the second half but was overcome down the stretch, falling to New Hampshire (9-3, 1-0 AE) 68-61 in both schools America East Conference opener on Wednesday night at Lundholm Gymnasium. UMBC was led by Matea Pender with a team-high 20 points.

UMBC trailed 30-26 until Brittnie Hughes with 11 seconds remaining in the first half drained a three-point basket, pulling UMBC within one at 30-29 heading into the break. The first half featured 10 lead changes and five ties with neither team holding more than a five point lead.

In the second half New Hampshire was held with out a field goal until the 12:45 mark, making their way with seven points at the free throw line in the first seven minutes of the half.

UMBC took advantage of the scoring drought as Pender drained a trey with 15:49 on the clock, giving UMBC a 38-37 lead. The Retrievers turned Pender's three into a 9-0 run with Pender scoring seven of the nine points.

UMBC led 44-37 until Ebony Woods broke the Wildcats scoring drought, knocking down a three-point basket to close the UMBC gap to 44-40. UMBC responded with seven consecutive points to take its largest lead of the game at 51-40 with 9:33 on the clock.

Danielle Clark and Ray Williams started the Wildcats rally, combining for 11 of the Wildcats next 16 points, culminating in a Williams' free throw to tie the game at 56-56 with 5:01 on the clock.

UMBC regained the lead as Pender drained a free throw only to see Clark knock down a trey from the base line giving New Hampshire a 59-57 advantage with 4:12 remaining. New Hampshire would not relinquish its lead down the stretch, going 6-of-8 from the charity stripe.

New Hampshire finished 20-of-23 at the foul line, making 19 trips in the second half compared to four in the first stanza. The Wildcats were led by 24 points from Clark and 17 from Ebony Woods. New Hampshire out rebounded UMBC, 42-31, corralling 19 offensive boards.

Pender shot 7-of-14 from the field and was perfect from outside the arc, going 3-for-3 for 20 points on the night. It was Pender's second consecutive 20-point performance and sixth straight game in double figures. Sharri Rohde went 6-for-8 from the field with 13 points and Amanda Robinson finished with 10 points. Pender led UMBC with seven rebounds while Hughes dished out a team-high six assists.