Vestal, N.Y. – Senior guard Bryce Johnson scored a game-high 23 points, but the UMBC men's basketball team dropped an 87-82 decision against the Binghamton Bearcats in the America East Conference opener for both squads on Saturday afternoon at the Events Center.

Johnson made 7-of-14 field goal attempts and sank all nine free throws to pace the Retrievers, who dropped their fourth straight conference opener. Senior guard Marcus Banks Jr. contributed 17 points (3 treys), while senior forward Marlon Short (13 points) and graduate student forward Josh Odunowo (10 points) were also in double-digits.

UMBC (8-8, 0-1 AE) led 67-65 after senior guard JC Harris drilled a triple from the left corner with 7:25 remaining in the contest. However, Binghamton (9-7, 1-0 AE) went on a decisive 13-2 run to take control down the stretch, building a 78-69 advantage at 4:38.

The Retrievers did not go away easily as they managed to close within 84-82 after a steal and breakaway jam by Odunowo with 29 seconds left. 

However, Ben Callahan-Gold converted two free throws with 19 ticks left, and Johnson had his three-point attempt blocked on the next possession. Chris Walker (team-high 21 points) hit one-of-two free throws with ten seconds left for the game's final point.

UMBC got off to a slow start to open the contest as the hosts took a 13-6 advantage on a jumper by forward Gavin Walsh (18 points, game-high 17 rebounds).

The Dawgs recovered and eventually took their first lead since the early stages of the contest, 32-30, after junior forward Regimantas Ciunys finished a layup off a feed from Banks Jr. with 6:28 left in the stanza.

After falling behind again, 40-34, with 3:26 left in the half, the Retrievers closed to within 44-43 at halftime.

The game went back-and-forth in the second half, with six ties and four lead changes.

UMBC took their largest advantage of the game, 60-56, with 11:07 left after Odunowo scored on back-to-back possessions.    

The Retrievers will travel to NJIT on Thursday evening.

Notes
Both squads went 32-of-58 (55.2 percent) overall from the floor.
UMBC was outrebounded by a 34-22 margin
Banks Jr. needs 43 points to reach the 1,000 point mark.
Banks Jr has drilled 3+ treys nine times this season.
Johnson posted his 5th 20+ point game of the season and has reached the mark in three of his last four contests.
The Retrievers are now 0-7 when trailing at the half.