BALTIMORE – Graduate student DJ Armstrong Jr. exploded for a career-high 31 points, fueling the Retrievers' dominant 93-59 road win over local rival Coppin State on Monday at the Physical Education Complex. The 93 points were the most the Dawgs have scored against a Division I opponent this season.

Armstrong put on a sensational shooting display as the shooting guard knocked down a career-best eight three-point field goals, including six in the second half, to put the game out of reach. The leading long-distance shooter in the America East Conference went 8-for-14 from deep and was 10-for-16 overall from the floor. The eight makes were the most by a Retriever since Marcus Banks Jr. hit nine against NJIT last season. "I felt like everything was clicking tonight, Armstrong Jr. stated. "I wasn't forcing anything, as all of my shots came through the offense. It just felt great, and even before the game, I could tell that everyone was locked in. Today was just my day."

Junior guard Ace Valentine added a season-high 19 points and dished a game-high eight assists, also a season-high, along with seven rebounds. Valentine went 8-for-10 from the floor and swished 3-of-4 shots from behind the arc.

Freshman forward Riley Jacobs was also in double-figures with 10 points, along with six boards. Graduate student forward Josh Odunowo contributed seven points and seven rebounds.

UMBC (7-6) led from start to finish, jumping out to a 16-2 advantage just 5:28 into the contest. The visitors hit six of their first nine shots, with Armstrong Jr. contributing six points in the early run. After a trifecta by Armstrong Jr. at 12:11, the Retrievers built their largest first-half lead, 21-5.

Fifth-year guard Cougar Downing drained a triple from the corner to give the Retrievers a 37-22 advantage with 3:21 left before intermission, but the hosts went on a 12-3 run to close within 40-34 at the break.

The Eagles were within 46-38 with 17:23 left in the second half, but that was as close as they would get as UMBC took complete command of the contest. Valentine ignited a 7-0 spurt with a second-chance layup that eventually provided the Retrievers with a 53-38 lead with 15:51 left.

Coppin State (2-15) inched within 53-41, but the Dawgs went on a 20-1 burst to widen their lead to 31 points, 73-42, with 10:42 to play. Armstrong Jr. delivered four threes during the stretch to deliver the knockout blow.

UMBC, who sank a season-high 14-of-29 treys and shot 52.4 percent overall, led by as many as 37 points as the Eagles never made a run.

Hussain Williams and Khali Horton led Coppin State with nine points each.

The Retrievers will open the conference slate at home against Maine on January 8.