Albany, N.Y. – The UMBC women's basketball team (15-12, 7-9 America East) dropped a 63-55 decision to Albany (7-20, 3-13 AE) on Saturday afternoon in the America East Conference regular-season finale for both teams at the Recreation and Convocation Center. Jen Schumacher scored a season-high 20 points, including nine in the final minutes en route to Albany's win on their Senior Day.
Albany jumped on UMBC from the start, as the Retrievers never led in the contest. Albany grabbed a 26-8 lead with 7:31 left in the first half. UMBC closed the gap to 11 at 31-20, but Sherri Mikus for the Great Danes would score two baskets before the half to give Albany a 35-20 lead at the break.
Albany extended its advantage to 18 in the second half as Amanda Ward right out of the break dropped one of nine Albany treys on the day. The Retriever steadily started to close the margin on Albany, cutting the lead to 53-49 with 2:47 remaining. Schumacher, who was playing in her final home contest, drained a jumper and scored seven straight points as Albany went on for the 63-55 victory.
Mikus added 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals for Albany. Gia Sanders finished with 14 points for her first double-figure scoring game since Jan. 29.
Brittnie Hughes paced the Retrievers with 15 points, while Matea Pender and Amanda Robinson added 12 and 11, respectively. Sharri Rohde, the team's second-leading scorer, was limited to eight points on 4-of-10 shooting.
UMBC will play Binghamton in the America East Conference Tournament held at the University of Hartford on Friday, March 10 at 8:30 p.m.
