Box Score BALTIMORE – Senior guard Marcus Banks Jr. tied his career-high with 28 points. However, the UMBC men's basketball team was edged by America East Conference leader Bryant, 92-86, Thursday evening at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena.

Banks Jr. went 10-for-21 overall from the floor, splashed 6-of-15 trey attempts, and converted 2-of-3 free throws. Senior forward Marlon Short recorded season-bests in points (19) and rebounds (8), while senior guard Bryce Johnson (18 points) and graduate student forward Josh Odunowo (13 points, season-high six assists) were also in double-figures.

UMBC (11-11, 3-4 AE) trailed 47-40 at halftime but closed to within just two points after junior forward Louie Jordan's triple with 18:21 remaining in the contest.

Bryant (13-9, 7-0 AE) responded with a 10-2 run to grab a 59-49 advantage at the 16:13 mark.

The hosts fought right back and took their first lead of the second stanza at 65-64 after an Odunowo layup with 11:47 remaining. Banks Jr. followed with a trifecta to spot the Dawgs a 68-64 advantage, capping a 19-5 burst.

The game would feature seven more lead changes, and neither team led by more than two points until Pinzon scored five straight to spot the visitors an 85-81 advantage with 3:10 left. 

The Retrievers inched within 86-85 after Short converted a pair from the line with 1:55 remaining, but Bryant scored inside buckets on back-to-back possessions to build a 90-85 lead with fifty-one ticks left. 

UMBC misfired on their final five field goal attempts and could only manage a free throw down the stretch.

The Retrievers shot 51.7 percent (30-of-58) overall, while Bryant made 37-of-76 attempts (48.7 percent).

Connor Withers (12 rebounds, 40 minutes) and Rafael Pinzon scored 18 points to pace the Bulldogs. Earl Timberlake added a double-double of 16 points and 12 boards in 40 minutes of action.

UMBC will host UMass Lowell on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.