Smithfield, R.I. – Graduate student guard Keelah Dixon led five Retrievers in double figures with 16 points as UMBC held off host Bryant, 75-69, at Chace Athletic Center.

UMBC won for the third consecutive time and improved evened their overall mark at 12-12. The Retrievers are now 9-4 in America East play, their best record through 13 league games since the 2010-11 campaign.
Senior forward Kiara Bell posted her third double-double in her last four outings with both a dozen points and rebounds.

Dixon buried a trey to give UMBC its largest lead at 59-44 just 21 seconds into the fourth quarter. But the hosts rallied and, by the midpoint of the period, had trimmed the deficit to 63-60. Sophomore Laycee Drake halted the surge by knocking down a trey with 3:22 remaining.

Bryant would have one shot to knot the score at 68-all, but missed a trey with 1:48 remaining.

Bell would secure the win for the Retrievers, getting a pair of offensive rebounds in the final five seconds and converting two free throws to extend a precarious 71-69 lead to four points. After a steal, Drake hit two more free throws to give the visitors the six-point victory.

Grad students Ashia McCalla and KK White each scored 12 points, while classmate Nia Staples added 10 off the bench. Drake scored 9 points, but added 7 assists and 5 rebounds.

UMBC never trailed in the game, but held narrow leads of 11-7 after one quarter and 32-26 at the half. The Retrievers outscored the Bulldogs, 15-8 over the final five minutes of the third period to take a 56-44 lead after 30 minutes. Dixon scored 10 third quarter points to lead the 24-point third quarter effort.

The Retrievers hit 47.5 percent from the floor and outrebounded Bryant, 40-33. UMBC also racked up 20 fast break points in the contest.

UMBC has moved into third place in America East, one-half game ahead of Maine.

The Retrievers conclude the home slate with contests versus first-place UAlbany (Wed., Feb. 15) and UNH (Sat., Feb. 18).