Ryan Cook has double-doubles in his last two collegiate games.

PHILADELPHIA- Despite a tremendous 28-point, 11-rebound effort by senior guard Ryan Cook (Laurel, Md./Pallotti), the visiting UMBC Retrievers fell, 80-75, at Penn in the opening game for both teams.

UMBC played a brilliant first 17 minutes, getting out to a 44-22 lead after a layup by junior Chase Plummer (Plainfield, N.J./St. Patrick). But Penn sliced the lead to 48-34 at the half and opened the half on a 20-7 run to trim the deficit to 55-54 with 11:37 remaining. After Cook stemmed the tide with a field goal, the Quakers made the game's crucial run, outscoring the Retrievers, 13-0, over a span of 3:44 to take a 68-57 advantage with 7:37 to play.

The Retrievers committed 16 second-half miscues, and were outscored, 46-27, in the final 20 minutes. Cook hit a long 3-point field goal with two seconds left to bring UMBC to within the final margin.

Senior guard Brian Neller (Red Bank, N.J./Christian Bros. Academy) started the game by hitting his first four attempts from behind the arc. He totaled 14 first half points, but managed just one point after the break to finish with 15.

UMBC outrebounded Penn, 39-30, but accumulated 24 turnovers for the game. Penn hit 27-of-53 shots from the field (50.9%), including 8-of-16 from behind the arc.

The Retrievers open the home schedule on Monday when they host Eastern (Pa.) University.