BALTIMORE –Five Retrievers scored in double figures as the UMBC women's basketball squad opened the 2021-22 campaign with a 79-33 victory over Gettysburg.  

Graduate student forward Onome-Juliet Esadah (Warri, Delta State, Nigeria) led the way with 15 points and a career high 17 rebounds. UMBC converted a remarkable 32-of-35 shots from the free throw line and out-rebounded the Division III Bullets, 53-32.

"We were extremely excited to get the opportunity to compete again," said head coach Johnetta Hayes. "I can't be anything but happy about the win, I think we met all of our team goals. We were able to compete and give a good showing for our fans."  

Junior guard Keelah Dixon (Boston, Mass./Colgate) tied Esadah for game-high scoring honors with 15 points. Graduate student Janee'a Summers (Bound Brook, N.J.) scored a dozen of her 14 points in the second half, while grad student Jatarrikah Settle (Frederick, Md./Mount St. Mary's) added 12 points and junior guard Loan-Ahn Johnson (Wichita, Kan./Nicholls State) added 10.

HOW IT HAPPENED
·         The Retrievers scored the first 15 points of the game and held Gettysburg off the board until 2:38 remained in the first quarter. UMBC led, 20-4, after 10 minutes of play.
·         Dixon scored 10 second-quarter points and Settle banked home a trey from just inside mid-court at the horn to boost the advantage to 43-14 at halftime.
·         UMBC outscored GC, 18-6, in the third quarter to build a 61-20 lead after 30 minutes.
·         The Retrievers converted 12-of-14 free throws in the final ten minutes to post the final margin of a 46-point victory.

NOTABLE
·         Esasah recorded the fourth double-double of her career, all coming during her UMBC tenure.
·         The 33 points allowed by UMBC was the fewest since permitting only 29 versus LaSalle in December of 2015.

UMBC opens a five-game road trip at Colgate on Saturday, Nov. 13. The game in Hamilton, N.Y. begins at 2:00 p.m.