—UMBC sophomore guard Carlee Cassidy scored a career-high 24 points, leading a young Retriever women's basketball squad (0-1) in a valiant effort against No. 13 George Washington (1-0), but in the end the Colonials powered their way to the victory, 79-59, before 1,092 fans at the RAC Arena.
Before the game, the Retrievers held a ceremony to celebrate the 2006-07 America East Championship team and unveil the championship banner. Then at halftime, UMBC honored 10 of the program's 15 1,000-point scorers.
But on a night when UMBC celebrated its history, it was the younger Retrievers that took center stage. In the first game of her second season at UMBC, Cassidy - the Marlow Sports America East Player of the Game - led all scorers with her 24 points, and also added personal bests in rebounds (6), assists (3) and free throws (9-for-9). In addition, three of UMBC's newcomers, junior transfer Chantay Frazier and freshmen Michele Brokans and Jenny Lidgren, combined for 12 points and 15 rebounds.
Both teams got off to a slow start on the offensive end of the floor, as the Colonials made just one of their first 10 field goal attempts, while the Retrievers hit three of their first 11.
After George Washington scored the first three points of the game on a lay-up and ensuing free throw by forward Whitney Allen, UMBC scored nine straight points to take a 9-3 lead at the 14:38 mark. Cassidy and senior guard Kristin Drabyn were responsible for all nine points. But the Colonials went on a 10-2 run to go ahead for good by a score of 13-11.
George Washington held a 34-25 advantage at halftime. Forward Antelia Parrish led all scorers with 13 points in the opening period, while Drabyn scored a team-high seven. Cassidy went 6-for-6 at the free throw line to account for all six of her first-half points. The Retrievers shot 28.6 percent (6-for-21) in the half, while GW was just slightly better at 33.3 percent (12-for-36).
The Colonials began to pull ahead at the start of the second period, opening with a 10-4 run buoyed by six points by guard Sarah-Jo Lawrence that gave them a 44-29. The Retrievers cut their deficit to seven at 44-37 with eight straight points, but GW regained control with another 10-3 run that made the score 55-40 with 11:28 remaining. The Colonials shot 50 percent (18-for-36) in the second half.
Cassidy took charge of the Retrievers' offense with 10:47 remaining, as she scored 15 of their final 19 points over a span of seven-and-a-half minutes.
George Washington capitalized on 24 UMBC miscues, scoring 32 points off turnovers in the game.
Four Colonials scored in double figures, led by guard Kimberly Beck's 20 points. Lawrence and Parrish added 18 and 17, respectively, while Allen posted a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Cassidy finished the game 6-for-13 from the floor, including 3-for-7 from 3-point range. She also hit all nine of her free throw attempts, marking the best perfect game from the foul line for a Retriever since Brittnie Hughes went 9-for-9 at American on Dec. 1, 2005.
Junior center MacKenzie Butler finished one off her career high with seven points and added four assists, two rebounds, a block and a steal. Drabyn scored nine points on the night.
In her first collegiate game, Brokans grabbed seven rebounds to go along with three points and two assists. Frazier added four rebounds, five points and two steals, while Lidgren had four points, four boards and a block.
The Retrievers shot 36.7 percent (18-for-49) in the game, including 42.9 percent (12-for-28) in the second half. UMBC also hit 17 of 18 free throw attempts (94.4 percent). The Colonials shot 41.7 percent (30-for-72) from the floor, including 40.9 percent (9-for-22) from 3-point range. GW out-rebounded UMBC, 44-32.
The Retrievers return to action Sunday when they host Rider at 12 p.m. at the RAC Arena.
