, N.J.—The UMBC women's basketball team (2-5) dropped a 58-44 decision to the New Jersey Institute of Technology (1-3) Wednesday evening at the Fleisher Athletic Center.
UMBC never led in the game, as the Highlanders scored 11 of the first 14 points. A 13-5 Retriever run tied the game at 16-16 with 8:13 remaining in the first half, NJIT went on another 11-3 run to close out the period with a 27-19 lead.
Senior guard Morgan Hatten led all scorers with six points in the first half and added four rebounds. Three Highlanders had a team-high five points, including guard Katie Piekielski, who also had five rebounds.
The Retrievers shot just 28.0 percent (7-for-25) in the period while NJIT shot 34.5 percent (10-for-29) from the floor.
UMBC appeared ready for a comeback to start the second when sophomore guard Carlee Cassidy stole the ball from NJIT guard Jackie McCaffrey and took the ball to the hoop, sparking a 7-0 Retriever run that cut the deficit to one point, 27-26, at the 16:27 mark. Cassidy scored five of UMBC's seven points during that stretch.
But NJIT forward Taiwo Oyeloloa took over, scoring the next six points to reopen a seven-point lead, 33-26, with 13:58 to play, and freshman center Chrissy Robinson's free throw was all UMBC could muster during a 12-1 Highlander run that made the score 39-27 with 10:40 left.
Cassidy drilled a 3-pointer at the 9:56 mark, and that was UMBC's last field goal for five minutes. The Retrievers did hit seven consecutive free throws during that stretch, however, trimming their deficit to six, 43-37, at the 6:21 mark.
But the ensuing 13-3 Highlander burst put the game away, and a 3-pointer by Piekielski at the 2:47 mark sealed the win for NJIT.
Junior guard Melissa Book led the Retrievers with 10 points, while Cassidy added eight. Hatten posted six points and a team-high eight rebounds, and freshman guard Michele Brokans tallied a career-high four steals.
Oyelola posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Highlanders. Piekielski also scored 14 to go along with seven rebounds, while Adriana Johnson had 11.
The Retrievers shot 31.1 percent (14-for-45) in the game, while the Highlanders shot 30.5 percent (18-for-59) from the floor. NJIT out-rebounded UMBC, 43-32, and posted 19 offensive boards, which led to 14 second-chance points.
The Retrievers return to action on Monday, Dec. 3, when they head up the beltway to take on cross-town rival Loyola at 7 p.m.
