BALTIMORE – Graduate student forward Tra'Von Fagan scored 18 points to lead four players in double-figures as the host UMBC Retrievers defeated the Bryant Bulldogs, 76-73, in a key America East Conference at the Chesapeake Employers Arena on Saturday afternoon. UMBC improved to 17-10 and 7-5 in the league and swept the season-series from the Bulldogs, who had won three straight entering the contest. The Retrievers also improved to 13-2 at home this season.
 
Fagan, who also corralled six rebounds, converted 7-of-9 field goal attempts and swished both of his tries from behind the arc. Graduate student guard Craig Beaudion II scored 15 points and dished a season-high eight assists while seniors Jacob Boonyasith and Yaw Obeng-Mensah (6 rebounds) finished with 13 and 12 points respectively.
 
Bryant's (16-9, 7-5) Sherif Gross-Bullock, the leading scorer in the conference, produced an arena record 39 points as he hit 13-of-22 shots, including 7-for-11 from deep while making 6-of-9 free throws.

"Our guys came out and were really connected today," stated UMBC head coach Jim Ferry. "We really competed and everyone bought in to the game plan. That's an extremely talented team that we beat and it's a big sweep for us. Sherif is just a stud but down the stretch we really crowded him and he didn't make those big plays to finish off the game."

How It Happened (First Half)
-Obeng-Mensah converted three straight jumpers to give the Retrievers a 6-0 lead over the first 2:36.
- Bryant answered with a 12-5 run to grab their first lead of the game, 12-11, after a layup by guard Earl Timberlake.
-The Bulldogs took a four-point lead at 17-13, their largest of the game, after Gross-Bullock made a pair from the charity-stripe with 12:51 left.
-The hosts scored six straight and led for the remainder of the stanza. Fagan ignited the spurt with a driving layup and graduate student senior forward Jarvis Doles swished consecutive jump shots to finish the stretch.
- The Retrievers widened their lead to nine points, 28-19, after Boonyasith hit a step back jumper with 5:56 on the clock.
-UMBC settled for a 40-33 halftime advantage after Beaudion II drained a triple to beat the buzzer.
 
How It Happened (Second Half)
-The hosts extended their lead to a game-high 10 points after Boonyasith made 2-of-3 free throws with 18:57 remaining.
- Bryant clawed their way back and were within 50-48 after a dunk by Antwan Walker with 14:10 left. It capped a 13-5 run which was highlighted by eight points from Gross-Bullock.
- UMBC was able to hold off the Bulldogs and led 61-54 with 8:24 left after a turnaround jumper by Fagan in the paint, however, the visitors went on an 8-0 run to grab a 62-61 lead with 6:26 left as Gross-Bullock scored all eight points.
- The Retrievers reclaimed a 68-62 lead after Beaudion's two free throws with 4:50 left but Bryant scored six straight to even the contest on Gross-Bullock's trey with 3:27 left.
-UMBC took the lead for good on the next possession as Obeng-Mensah hit two clutch free throws.
-The Retrievers then hit 6-of-8 free throws to ice the game after the visitors were within 70-69 with 3:03 left.
 
Notes
- UMBC forced 14 turnovers and committed just seven of their own.
- The Retrievers' bench outscored Bryant's reserves by a 25-7 margin.
- UMBC shot 45.8 percent overall (27-of-59) and were 8-of-22 (36.4 percent) from distance. The Dawgs also went 14-for-18 (77.8 percent) from the line.
- Bryant shot 48.1 percent overall (25-for-52), hit 9-of-23 (39.1 percent) treys, and were 14-of-22 (63.6 percent) from the line.
- Junior guard Matteo Picarelli tied his career-best with four steals.
- Graduate student guard Colton Lawrence and Fagan played in their 100th career game.
- Boonyasith drilled his 300th career field goal.
- UMBC honored the 2007-08 squad at halftime, the University's first NCAA Tournament team. The Retrievers defeated Hartford to win their first AE championship to advance to "The Big Dance".
 
Up Next
- UMBC travels to Albany on Wednesday evening.