BALTIMORE – Senior guard Bryce Johnson scored 26 of his game-high 28 points in the second half as the host UMBC men's basketball team pulled away from the Howard Bison, 95-77, on Monday afternoon at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. More than 1,000 elementary and middle school children attended Midday Madness.

"I thought that was an exceptional win for our team against an excellent team," said UMBC Head Coach Jim Ferry. "Today was the first time we played like we're supposed to play. We played hard, were connected, and were aggressive defensively. The ball moved, and we flowed offensively. That's how we are built to play."

Johnson, who came off the bench for the first time this season and played 27 minutes, buried 10-of-15 field goal attempts, including 4-of-7 from behind the arc. "I wouldn't have gotten those shots without good ball movement and my teammates allowing me to get open and setting screens," Johnson explained. "It always feels great to play like we did today, especially in the second half. We got that nice run down the stretch by sharing the ball and helping each other get open."

Senior guard Marcus Banks Jr. recorded 17 points and added six rebounds and three steals, sophomore guard Ace Valentine contributed a season-high 16 points and distributed a game-high seven assists, and graduate student forward Josh Odunowo registered 16 points.

The Retrievers (4-4) shot a sizzling 60.3 percent from the floor as they drained 35-of-58 field goals, including 12-for-24 from long-distance. The hosts were even better in the second stanza, connecting on 20-of-30 attempts for a 66.7 percent clip.

UMBC fell behind by a 66-61 margin with 9:39 remaining after the visitors went on a 15-4 run. Dom Campbell scored the final five points during the stretch for the Bison, who trailed 42-39 at the break.

The hosts answered with eight straight points and never trailed again as they re-claimed a 69-66 edge at the 7:53 mark.  Johnson gave UMBC the lead for good with 7:29 left as he converted a layup off a steal by Banks Jr.

The Bison (3-4) were still within two, 76-74, after Anwar Gill scored in the paint at the 5:27 left, but the Retrievers pulled away with 12 consecutive points over the next 3:30. Johnson ignited the burst with two straight treys and scored eight points during the decisive stretch.

Howard could never get closer than 12 points for the remainder of the contest.

Blake Harper led the Bison with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting.

The Retrievers will host Morgan State on Wednesday at noon.