Burlington, Vt.—Host Vermont blistered UMBC for 56 second
half points, breaking open a close contest and defeating the
Retrievers, 85-48, at Patrick Gym.
UMBC junior guard Chris De La
Rosa led all scorers with 20 points, posting 20 or more points
for the sixth time in the last nine games. He was UMBC's America
East Player of the Game.
Sophomore Brendan Bald led a balanced Vermont attack with 16
points.
UMBC's changing defenses paid dividends in the first 20 minutes,
as they held Vermont to just 32 percent shooting (9 of 28) and
2-of-11 from behind the arc. But the Retrievers struggled
offensively, committing nine turnovers and hitting just 8-of-25
from the floor (32 percent). UMBC never led, and Vermont built a
26-19 with 5:10 to play in the half. But the Catamount would hit
just one shot, a three-pointer by Joey Accaoui, in the final 5:10,
and UMBC hit six of seven free throws in the final 4:08 to climb
within 29-27 at intermission.
Fry had 10 points and seven rebounds in the first half, hitting
six of seven shots from the charity stripe.
But it was the Catamounts that took complete control in the
final 20 minutes. Vermont started the half on an 11-0 run and
grabbed a 40-27 advantage at the 15:49 mark. De La Rosa hit 2 treys
in a 9-2 Retriever run to trim the deficit to 42-36, but Vermont
proceeded to score 10 unanswered points and had a comfortable 52-36
advantage with 12:02 to play.
De La Rosa had five of UMBC's six second-half field goals. Fry
finished with 11 points.
Vermont improved to 12-4 overall and 3-1 in the America East
Conference, while UMBC dropped its fourth straight, falling to
1-16, 0-4.
The Retrievers return home on Monday when they host Boston U. at
7:00 p.m. at the RAC Arena
