Baltimore, Md. – The UMBC women's basketball team (8-5, 0-2 America East) dropped a 75-57 decision to Boston University (8-4, 1-0 AE) on Saturday night at UMBC RAC Arena. The Retriever trailed by one, 31-30 at halftime, but saw the Terriers go on a 24-8 run to open the second half as UMBC's rally fell short. UMBC, who entered the game with a 4-0 home mark, is now 4-1 at RAC Arena.
Boston U. went on a 10-0 run to begin the second stanza as Cheri Raffo started the run with a lay-up followed by a made free throw. Katie Meinhardt extended the run with a jumper followed by Erica Kovach's trey and Kasey Devin's jumper, pushing the Terriers lead to 41-30.
Matea Pender put UMBC on the board in the second half with five straight points before the Terriers opened the game up with three-consecutive three-point baskets by Raffo, Meinhardt and Kovach.
UMBC trailed by as many as 20, falling behind 55-35 with 12:58 remaining before building a run at the Terriers. Heather Luttrell sparked the run, dropping a three-point basket from the wing and hitting a fade away jumper from 10-feet out to pull UMBC within 15 at 55-40.
UMBC continued to climb back in the game as Matea Pender off a pass from Brittnie Hughes knock down a three-point basket to close the gap to 61-56 with 4:14 to player.
The Terriers, however responded as Meinhardt drained a three to push the lead back to seven at 64-56 with 3:51. The Terriers spoiled any chance of a UMBC comeback, finishing the game on an 11-1 run for the victory.
Boston U. was led by Kovach, who tied a career-high with 25 points, going 8-for-17 from the field, 3-for-7 from three-point range and 6-for-6 at the free throw line. Four Terriers finished in double figures with Raffo scoring 18 points, Rachael Vanderwal 11 and 10 by Meinhardt. Vanderwal added 12 rebounds for a double-double.
UMBC was led by 24 points out of Pender for a season-high. Pender went 10-of-20 from the field and 4-of-8 from outside the arc in the game. Pender added seven rebounds as well. Sharri Rohde and Amanda Robinson tallied eight points each in the losing effort.
UMBC shot 36.2 percent from the field, marking the first time all year they have shot under 40.0 percent. The Retrievers were 21-for-58 in the game. Boston U. shot 22-for-48 for 45.8 percent and out rebounded UMBC, 42-31. Boston U. also held the advantage at the foul line, going 25-for-33 compared to 7-of-13 by the Retrievers.
UMBC returns to action at Vermont on Thursday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m.
