Baltimore, Md. – The UMBC women's basketball team hosts conference leader Hartford on Wednesday night at UMBC RAC Arena. The Retrievers (14-8, 6-5 AE) are on a six-game win streak, tied for the 20th best active win streak in the nation while Hartford (19-2, 11-0 AE) holds the third best active wins streak at 13 straight. Fans are encouraged to come out and PACK THE RAC as the Retrievers put their 8-1 home record on the line. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.
Broadcast Information: The UMBC women's game will not air on www.umbcretrievers.com due to a conflict with the men's game playing at the same time in Hartford, Conn. Fans can listen to the Hartford broadcast by going www.hartfordhawks.com. UMBC will have live stats available at www.umbcretrievers.com.
RETRIEVER UPDATE: UMBC is currently on a six game win streak, ranking tied for 20th in the nation for active win streaks (as of games through Feb. 13, 2006) and the longest since UMBC won 10 in a row during the 1993-94 season. UMBC's latest win came against Vermont as the Retrievers split the regular season series with Catamounts after coming from behind to win 72-63. UMBC trailed by as many as 16-points as one point and by 12 at halftime. Behind 16 points from Sharri Rohde and Heather Luttrell, the Retrievers rallied past the Catamounts for the win. Rohde added 10 rebounds for her second career double-double while Matea Pender and Brittnie Hughes each scored 14 points. UMBC placed four players in double figures for the fifth time this season and first in conference play. Pender leads UMBC on the season at 13.4 ppg followed by 11.8 ppg by Rohde and 11.0 ppg by Hughes. Over UMBC's six game win streak Rohde is shooting 62.5 percent from the field, averaging 17.7 ppg and 8.8 rpg.
HAWK UPDATE: Hartford enters today's game on a 13-game win streak, the third longest in the nation, and has a flawless 11-0 conference mark. The Hawks recently defeated New Hampshire, 62-52 behind 15 points from Ikea Witt and Erica Beverly. Danielle Hood leads the Hawks at 13.8 ppg, followed by Beverly at 10.9 ppg and Erica Messam at 10.0 ppg.
Who's Up Next: UMBC is idle this weekend and will host Maine next week on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.
RETRIEVER GAMEDAY
Game Notes: UMBC against Hartford is the Retrievers' 23rd game of the season, 12th in the America East Conference and 10th home game. The game marks the seventh all-time meeting between the two programs with Hartford holding a 5-1 all-time advantage, including the last three. Earlier this year UMBC trailed by six points midway through the second half but a Hawks' 13-0 run allowed Hartford to jump ahead 53-34 as the Retrievers never recovered in the 76-52 loss. UMBC following that game lost at Maine the next weekend only to go a six-game win streak since, tying for 20th in the nation for active win streaks. Hartford boasts the third best active win streak in the country with 13 straight wins. At 19-2 the Hawks are receiving votes for the Associate Press top-25 poll. Hartford and UMBC are two of the top defensive teams in the league with Hartford ranking No. 1 in scoring defense at 55.0 ppg and UMBC No. 2 at 58.2 ppg. UMBC ranks No. 1 in field goal percentage defense at 36.8 percent while Hartford is No. 3 at 37.8 percent.
RETRIEVER QUICK SHOTS
- Retriever Win Streak At Six...UMBC's six game win streak is tied for the 20th best active mark in the country according to ncaasports.com as of games through Feb. 13, 2006. UMBC will take on Hartford who holds the third best win streak in the nation at 13 games.
- Swarming Defense...UMBC's defense has been swarming the past six games, holding opponents to 49.8 ppg and 32.3 percent shooting during that span. During the last six, the Retriever defense has held two of the top offensive teams in the league to season lows in field goal percentage and points per game. UMBC's defense has 20 blocks (3.3 bpg) and 43 steals (7.2 spg) in the last six games.
- UMBC Offense Complementing The Defense...UMBC's offense has been complementing its defense lately, scoring over 60 points in the last five games and averaging 63.5 ppg and a 45.2 shooting percentage over the last six. During that span UMBC has a positive 13.7 ppg scoring margin over opponents. UMBC's 72 points against Vermont ranks second for the most points scored during a conference game for UMBC since joining the America East. UMBC's top points output was 78 points in a loss to Northeastern.
- Rohde Keeping The Retrievers Rolling...UMBC's junior Sharri Rohde is averaging 17.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg and shooting 62.5 percent from the floor during the Retrievers' six game win streak. Rohde last week averaged 19.5 ppg and 9.0 rpg, earning America East Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. The Retriever forward has scored double figures in nine of 11 conference games and ranks in the top-10 in six conference categories.
- UMBC Among Nations Top Assisters...UMBC in the last released NCAA statistics as of games through Feb. 13, 2006, ranked 16th in the nation with 17.1 apg. The NCAA Statistics are released every Tuesday afternoon.
- No Place Like Home...UMBC has a 8-1 home record this season with three of the final five regular season games at RAC Arena. UMBC moved past its toughest schedule after playing five for the first seven league games on the road. UMBC's best home record was a 10-0 mark during the 1993-94 season.
- 40 Minute Nights...Sharri Rohde and Brittnie Hughes have picked up the minutes lately, with Rohde playing all 40 minutes in the last three games and Hughes in the two of the last three. Rohde for her career has 13 40 minute game while Hughes has logged all the minutes in eight career games.
Retriever Up Rising
Head coach Phil Stern continues to build the UMBC women's basketball program towards the top of the America East Conference, having made progressive steps forward each year. UMBC with 14 wins has surpassed its win total from the previous year for the second consecutive season. Below are current notes on UMBC's growth this season.
- UMBC's 14 wins are six more than its 2004-05 record of eight victories (UMBC recorded four wins in 2003-04).
- UMBC's 14 wins secures UMBC with its first .500 season since going 15-13 in 1993-94.
- UMBC's 14 wins is the most regular season wins since wining 14 regular season games during the 1993-94 season.
- UMBC's 14 wins is tied for the fourth most wins since the Retrievers turned Division-I in 1986-87. UMBC's better seasons came in 1990-91 (17 wins), 1986-87 (15 wins), 1993-94 (15 wins), 2002-03 (14 wins).
- UMBC is on a six-game win streak, the longest since joining the America East Conference.
- The last time UMBC went on a six-game win streak was during the 1993-94 season in which UMBC set a school record with 10 consecutive wins.
- UMBC the last two years recorded its best start since joining Division-I, this year opening the year 6-1.
- UMBC's six conference wins is the Retrievers' most wins in the league, topping the four-win mark set in 2003-04.
- UMBC is 8-1 at home, the best mark since going 10-0 in 1993-94.
- UMBC's current success is coming as the America East Conference is ranked 11th in the RPI poll and third among I-AA conferences.
News and Notes...
America East Conference Ranked 11th in RPI Poll...America East has maintained its 11th ranking in The Collegiate Basketball News Women's RPI Report and now ranks third among I-AA conferences. Only the Colonial (eighth) and Atlantic 10 (10th) are higher ranking I-AA leagues. America East has never finished as high as 11th in the final RPI for a season and never as high as third among I-AA Conferences. America East boasts three teams with RPIs in the top 100. Stony Brook leads the conference with an RPI of 33, followed by Hartford (46) and Boston University (84).
Pender, Rohde, Hughes Reaching New Career Scoring Milestones...Matea Pender, Sharri Rohde and Brittnie Hughes continue to reach new career milestones in the scoring category. Pender recently passed the 900-point barrier and is closing in on 1,000 career points. Rohde is five points off 700 for her career while Hughes just went over the 500-point mark.
Sharri Rohde Named America East Wilson Player of the Week For Second Time (2-12-06)...UMBC junior Sharri Rohde tallied a career high 23 points against Boston U. and recorded her second career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds against Vermont en route to her second conference player of the week award. Rohde averaged 19.5 ppg and 9.0 rpg on the week. Her first weekly award came for the week ending Jan. 30, 2006 after posting two 20-point performances. Rohde that week averaged 20.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg, shooting 66.7 percent from the floor.
Lending a helping hand...UMBC leads the America East Conference for the second consecutive season in assists per game and ranks 16th in the NCAA Statistics through games Feb. 13, 2006. The Retrievers to date have recorded 17.1 apg. UMBC has seven games with 20-plus assists this season, including 26 against Fairleigh Dickinson as the Retrievers came one assist away from their single-season mark of 27, set in 1985 against Shippensburg. Brittnie Hughes dished out a career-high 10 assists against Lafayette and is averaging 4.5 apg through 22 games this season. The junior point guard has 98 assists on the year, one off her mark set last season.
Pender Reaches All-Time Top-20 Scoring Chart...Senior Matea Pender joined UMBC's all-time top-20 chart for points scored after recording 13 points against IPFW. Pender currently has 913 career points, 15th all-time.
Pender Becomes Fifth Retriever To Reach 100 Treys For Her Career...Senior Matea Pender recorded five treys against Drexel to become the fifth player in UMBC history to reach 100 career three-point baskets. Pender needs one trey to reach fourth on UMBC's all-time three-point baskets made chart.
Rohde's Perfect Day From The Field...Junior Sharri Rohde was a force inside against Hartford, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the field. Rohde scored 14 points, mostly on inside post moves for layups or short jumpers. UMBC's single-game record for field goal percentage is 100 percent on 10-of-10 shooting by Monica Logan. That record was set on January 4, 1997 against Niagara.
Rohde's Start Streak...Junior Sharri Rohde extended her streak to 78 consecutive starts and has not missed a start in her entire collegiate career, starting all 28 games as a freshman and sophomore and every one this year.
Rohde Moving Up Assists and Blocks All-Time Charts...Junior Sharri Rohde, who is UMBC's active leader in assists, blocks and steals, is moving up the Retrievers all-time charts in the assists and blocks category. Rohde currently has 224 career assists, ninth all-time and 60 career blocks, ranking 10th all-time. Amanda Robinson joined the top-15 for all-time blocks, ranking 14th with 45 in her career.
Hughes Joins All-Time Assists Chart...Junior Brittnie Hughes recorded three assists against Boston U. to joining UMBC's all-time top-15 for career assists. The Retriever point guard currently has 199 career assists, ranking 12th all-time.
Hughes Closing In On Single Season High Assists Mark...Brittnie Hughes with 98 assists on the year is closing in on her single-season mark of 99 assists set last year. Hughes with 98 assists ranks eighth among all-time juniors with Shawne Heckler leading with 117 assists her junior year.
UMBC Sets Attendance Record At RAC Arena...On January 26, 2006, UMBC welcomed seven local middle and elementary schools to campus for "Midday Madness," as the Retrievers defeated Albany at RAC Arena in front of 1,312 fans, a UMBC women's basketball record. The activities for the day for the near 800 students included an educational speech from head women's basketball coach Phil Stern, a tour around campus guided by student-athletes, lunch in one of our dining facilities, and the women's basketball game at noon.
UMBC Featured on AE TV...The second installment of "America East On Campus" showcased a feature on the UMBC women's basketball team. The second show debuted on New England Sports Network (NESN) January 16 at 6:30 p.m. in a 30-minute window between two Atlantic Coast Conference basketball games, followed by a broadcast on Cox Sports Television at 9 p.m. A streaming video will also be available through the internet via America East All Access, provided by CSTV.
Hitting the Airwaves...UMBC will hit the airwaves with six games broadcasted live on WLG-1370 AM, all home games and some away games via www.umbcretrievers.com and a televised game against Vermont on Feb. 12 at RAC Arena. All WLG broadcast games will also run live via the website for fans outside the broadcasting network. UMBC will also broadcast live stats via the web for all home games at RAC Arena.
Indiana Trio Make Most Of Trip To Hoosier State...UMBC's Indiana girls put on a show in front of some family and friends against IPFW and Butler. The Indiana trio combined for 31 points against IPFW. Kristin Drabyn scored a career-high 14 points, all in the second half. Sharri Rohde tallied 10 points while Heather Luttrell dropped seven points in the game. The trio shot a combined 63.1 percent from the field, making 12-of-19 shots. Against Butler, Rohde tallied a career-high 11 rebounds while Drabyn finished with her second double-digit performance, scoring 10 points.
Hughes Earns America East Conference Co-Player of the Week (12-4-05)...Brittnie Hughes was named America East Conference Co-Player of the Week for the week ending Dec. 4, 2005. Hughes led UMBC to back-to-back wins as the junior point guard averaged 18.0 ppg and 6.5 apg in two contests. Hughes opened the week at American, scoring a career-high 19 points with nine assists and a 9-of-9 performance at the free throw line.
Hughes Named To Second All-Tournament Team...When it comes to tournaments, UMBC junior point guard Brittnie Hughes has stepped up to the challenge, earning a spot on both all-tournament teams this season. Hughes won a spot on the Retriever Tip-Off Tournament team after leading the Retrievers to the title. At South Florida, Hughes averaged 15.5 ppg and 4.25 apg to lead the Retrievers to a 1-1 mark. Last year Hughes was named to the 2004 Retriever Tip-Off Tournament team.
Block Party...Amanda Robinson's six blocks against Morgan State tied Eunice French for the most blocks recorded in a single game by a Retriever. Robinson had three blocks in the first five minutes against Morgan State. UMBC as a team blocked nine shots against Morgan State, Robinson's six, Nicole Dixon recording two and Mackenzie Butler one.
Pender Named MVP Of Retriever Tip-Off Tournament....Senior Matea Pender was named Retriever Tip-Off Tournament Most Valuable Player after averaging 14.5 ppg in the two games. Pender shot .500 from outside the arc, making 5-for-10 while shooting 47.6 percent from the field on 10-of-21. Pender added 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the two-day event.
UMBC Captures Tip-Off Tournament Title...UMBC for the first time in the three-year history of the Retriever Tip-Off Tournament captured the title, defeating Morgan State, 72-50, in the opening round to advance the championship game against Fairleigh Dickinson. UMBC went on to beat FDU, 76-58, to win the title as Matea Pender earned tournament most valuable player honors and Brittnie Hughes made the all-tournament team.
Retrievers Picked Ninth In Preseason Conference Poll...The UMBC women's basketball team was picked to finish ninth in the America East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. Hartford was the league's pick to win the conference after taking the league tournament title last year. Boston U. and Maine were selected to tie for second.
UMBC Inks Two for 2006-07...UMBC head women's basketball coach Phil Stern announced the signings of two student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to attend UMBC for the 2006-07 academic year. Carlee Cassidy (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill) and Leanne Crockett (Manchester, Conn./Manchester) are both slated to become freshman at UMBC in the fall of 2006.
