Box Score Video Highlights
Stony Brook, N.Y.— UMBC would need an extra session again against Stony Brook, this time holding on for a big 69-65 win against the Seawolves. Juniors Pandora Wilson (Gaithersburg, Md./Academy of Holy Cross) and Taylor McCarley (Bowie, Md./Academy of Holy Cross) led the way with 23 and 20 points respectively to move the Retrievers to 14-10, 5-6 AE on the year.
UMBC came out of the gates with strong defense early, keeping the Seawolves off the score sheet early. Junior Amanda Hagaman (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) scored the first two buckets for the Retrievers, giving them an early 4-0 lead. Stony Brook would answer, hitting a three to cut it to one. From there both teams would battle back and forth, but it would be the Seawolves who would lead 11-10 after one.
The second quarter was much of the same, with each side exchanging bucket early on. However Stony Brook would continue their hot shooting from three, as they shot 44% from deep in the half. UMBC would be held scoreless for a stretch in the second quarter, until a Pandora Wilson lay up ended the drought.
Stony Brook took a 29-20 lead into the locker rooms, as the Seawolves shot 44% from three in the opening half. Hagaman and Wilson led the Retrievers with eight points each, as UMBC outrebounded Stony Brook, 16-9 at the break.
The third stanza saw the Seawolves keep their lead, until a late flurry by the Retrievers cut into the deficit. Junior Taylor McCarley hit a deep three to cut it to eight, before an Emily Russo (Woodbine, Md./Glenelg) run-out made it 39-34. Laura Castaldo (West Nyack, N.Y./Clarkstown South) hit a big three, to cut it to five, before Wilson hit a triple at the buzzer to make it 41-40 Stony Brook heading to the fourth.
Wilson opened up the quarter with a bucket, followed by a Liz McNaughton (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) triple to cut the deficit to 47-46. Stony Brook would hit back-to-back threes to increase their lead to seven midway through.
However the Retriever defense would stand tall, getting some key stops, and found themselves down two with just 13 seconds to go. McCarley hit a driving lay-up, a la last year's quarterfinal game, to tie it and head to overtime.
In the extra session, UMBC would continue the strong defense, getting a pair of key bucket from McCarley to make it 63-59 UMBC. The Retrievers hit their free throws late to hold on for a big 69-65 win.
Wilson led all scorers with 23 points. Hagaman added 14 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, with McCarley chipping in 20 points and seven assists with seven caroms.
UMBC returns to the hardwood on Sunday, Feb. 14 with a home matchup with UMass Lowell. The Valentine's Day matinee will be "Play4Kay" day, and you can help UMBC women's basketball raise their goal of $1,000 for the Kay Yow Foundation by donating at the game. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
