BALTIMORE - Freshman guard Kennedy Austin scored a career-high 20 points, but UMBC couldn't fend off local rival Towson on Sunday evening, falling 71-64. 

The Retrievers led by as many as 11 late in the third quarter, but a 22-0 run spanning nearly eight minutes pushed Towson ahead 58-47 with five minutes remaining. UMBC would pull within five, but couldn't overcome the late deficit. 

Austin was in the starting lineup for the first time in her collegiate career, scoring 20 points on nine shots in 27 minutes. Fellow freshman Heidi Williams finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and six steals in 20 minutes off the bench. Williams is the first Retriever with five or more steals in a game in almost a year, following Jaliena Sanchez's five steals against the Tigers last December. 

Jade Tillman had eight points and a career-high 10 rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench for the Retrievers as well. 

The Tigers had four players in double figures led by Zoli Khalil with 16. India Johnston (15), Tilda Sjökvist (14), and Thalia Shepard (10) joined her. 

UMBC heads to Florida for the FIU Tournament where they will play Florida International on Friday before facing either Seattle or Presbyterian on Sunday.