BALTIMORE—Four Retrievers scored in double figures for the first time in nearly a month, but the UMBC women's basketball team (8-10, 2-3 AE) fell to America East rival Binghamton (6-12, 2-3 AE) by a score of 80-63 Monday evening at the RAC Arena.
The teams were very streaky in the first half, exchanging a number of scoring runs. With the game tied at 19-19, Binghamton knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to take a six-point lead with 9:29, but the Retrievers responded with nine straight points to go on top, 28-25, at the 5:03 mark.
But the Bearcats closed out the period on an 11-0 run to take a 36-28 halftime advantage.
Binghamton extended its lead to 21 points, 60-39, with 9:50 remaining in the game, before a 14-5 UMBC run, capped by a 3-pointer by sophomore forward Erin Brown (Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman) brought the hosts to within 12, 65-53, with 5:32 to go. But the Retrievers could get no closer, as the Bearcats made 10 free throws in the final 4:34 to seal the victory.
Sophomore guard Katie Brooks (Maryville, Tenn./Heritage) led the Retrievers with 13 points, while senior guard Carlee Cassidy (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill) had 11 to go along with a team-high seven rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Chelsea Barker (Waterville, Maine/Messalonskee) and sophomore center Topé Obajolu (Randallstown, Md./Archbishop Carroll) added 10 points apiece.
Binghamton guard Erica Carter led all scorers with 27 points on seven 3-pointers, while guard Andrea Holmes tallied 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals. Forward Viive Rebane also recorded 17 points for the Bearcats.
The Retrievers return to action on Thursday, Jan. 21, when they host defending America East champion Vermont at 12 p.m. for UMBC's fifth annual Midday Madness. Admission is free to all fans.
