After five consecutive road games, the UMBC women's basketball team (7-6) returns to the RAC Arena to open America East Conference play Thursday evening at 7 p.m. against Boston University (8-5).

UMBC concluded its non-conference schedule last week with two victories at the Battle at the Border Tournament in Edinburg, Texas. The Retrievers have won three games in a row for the first time this season and at 7-6 are also above the .500 mark for the first time this year. Three Retrievers rank in the conference's top 10 for scoring, including senior forward Sharri Rohde (4th, 15.1 pgg), senior point guard Brittnie Hughes (8th, 11.6 ppg) and junior guard Kristin Drabyn (9th, 11.4 ppg). Drabyn is the reigning America East Player of the Week.

The Terriers are 8-5 on the season and coming off a 71-43 loss to No. 3 Duke on Saturday at the Dartmouth Tournament. Prior to the defeat, Boston U. had won three in a row and five of its last six games. Katie Meinhardt leads the team and ranks second in the conference with 16.1 ppg, while Erica Kovach is averaging a team-best 7.0 rpg.