BALTIMORE– UMBC men's basketball needed overtime, but pulled out a 93-85 win in the #AEPlayoffs Quarterfinals on Saturday.
Darnell Rogers (Baltimore, Md./Indian Land (SC)/New Mexico JC) led the way with 23 points, going 9-10 from the free throw line.
UMBC improves to 17-13 while the River Hawks fall to 15-16.
The Retrievers outscored the River Hawks 15-7 in the extra session with 13 points coming from the foul line.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Retrievers got out to an early lead, but Allin Blunt drilled back-to-back threes to give UMass Lowell a four point lead at the under 16 timeout.
- UMBC would retake the lead after a 7-0 spurt. They would rip off another 7-0 run to give the Retrievers a ten point advantage.
- The River Hawks would cut into the deficit at the end of the half, with the Retrievers leading 44-38 at the break.
- Keondre Kennedy (Atlanta, Ga.) had 11 first half points as UMBC shot 60 percent from the floor with 24 points in the paint.
- UMBC came out of the break once again on fire, getting a trio of threes from L.J. Owens (Annapolis, Md./Severn School/William & Mary), Rogers and Kennedy to take their largest lead at 11.
- Another big run, capped by a Rogers three from the logo at the end of the shot clock added to the Retriever lead.
- However, UMass Lowell would rally back to within three with three minutes to go after a 10-0 run. Owens then hit an and one to break the streak.
- The River Hawks would punch last, tying the game with 35 seconds left to force overtime.
- In the overtime period, the Retrievers outscored the River Hawks 15-7, going 13-16 from the free throw line to pull out a 93-85 win.
NOTABLE:
- Rogers led four in double figures with 23 points, going 9-10 from the foul line. The senior added five steals, three assists and four rebounds.
- Kennedy and Szymon Wojcik (Wroclaw, Poland) added 17 points with Owens chipping in 13.
- UMBC's bench contributed 29 points and the Retrievers scored 36 points in the paint.
UMBC will now face No. 4 Hartford on Wednesday, March 9 in the #AEPlayoffs Semifinals. Tip-off with the Hawks is slated for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
