ALBANY, N.Y. – The UMBC men's basketball team showed their true grit as the Retrievers battled back from a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat the UAlbany Great Danes in overtime, 92-87, Thursday evening at Broadview Center. UMBC improves to 10-10 overall and 2-3 in the America East, while the hosts fall to 10-11 (2-4 AE).
Senior guard Bryce Johnson (23 points) and Marcus Banks Jr. (21 points, six rebounds) joined the 1,000-point club on back-to-back possessions in the second half and helped lead the comeback. Sophomore guard Ace Valentine (18 points), graduate student forward Josh Odunowo (13 points, six rebounds), and junior forward Regimantas Ciunys (10 rebounds, three blocks) were also instrumental in the victory.
The Retrievers, who trailed 43-28 at intermission, shot a sizzling 75 percent (18-for-24) from the floor in the second half, scored 51 points, and held the Great Danes to a 32.4 clip in the stanza. Johnson scored 15 points in the second half, while Valentine and Odunowo each added nine.
Banks Jr. came up with a steal off an inbounds pass with 12 seconds remaining in regulation and then calmly converted a pair of clutch free throws to even the game at 79-79 a second after he was fouled in the backcourt.
UMBC's defense made a crucial stop in the closing seconds, sending the game into overtime.
The Retrievers only needed one field goal in the extra session, as they made 11-of-14 from the charity stripe, while the hosts were 0-for-6 from the line and made 4-of-12 field goals.
After inching their way within 66-63 after a dunk by Odunowo at the 8:04 mark, the Dawgs fell behind 75-68 with just 4:16 left in regulation. But Banks Jr. connected on consecutive buckets, and senior forward Marlon Short followed with a driving jam to bring the visitors within 75-74 at the 2:22 mark. After another defensive stop, Ciunys was fouled and made one of two from the stripe to knot the score at 75-75.
UMBC again fell behind, 79-75, with just 45 ticks left, but Valentine converted a driving layup with 24 seconds left, and Banks Jr. came up with the big steal following timeouts by each team. He then sent the game to overtime with the two free throws.
The Retrievers, now 2-1 in OT this season, took the lead for good with 2:17 left in overtime, 83-81, as Ciunys swished a pair from the line. UMBC led by 10 points in the extra session despite making only one field goal with 50 seconds left.
Amar'e Johnson scored a game-high 25 points to lead UAlbany.
UAlbany held the lead for 38:59, while UMBC was ahead for just 3:28.
UMBC travels to Vermont on Saturday afternoon.
