The University of Maryland Baltimore County shot 50 percent from the field on Saturday afternoon, setting the tone for a 73-66 America East men’s basketball victory over the University of Maine at the Retriever Athletic Center in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Retrievers outscored the Black Bears 16-9 during the last 3 ½ minutes to beat UMaine for the second time this season.
UMBC (4-23, 2-12 AE) placed five players in double figures, led by a 16-point effort from Cody Joyce. Will Darley (7 rebounds, 6 assists) and Malcolm Brent (4 assists) tossed in 15 points each, Jourdan Grant (8 rebounds, 5 assists) posted 14 points and Devarick Houston finished with 10 points, five steals and three assists.
Kevin Little connected for a game-high 18 points and snared eight rebounds to propel UMaine (3-24, 2-12 AE). Till Gloger contributed 18 points and eight rebounds and Aaron Calixte added nine points and five rebounds.
The Retrievers made 23 of 46 field goals, including 15 of 25 two-point shots, and converted 19 of 21 free throws. The Bears grabbed a 33-27 rebounding edge.
UMaine trailed 15-6 barely seven minutes into the game, but responded with a 9-0 run that included two baskets each by Little and Gloger to get right back in it.
The Bears later surged in front and built their lead to as many as nine points (31-22), but the hosts rallied back within 35-31 at intermission.
UMaine trailed 63-61 on Calixte’s layup with 1:42 left in the game, but Grant drove in for a layup, sank two foul shots and got two free throws from Darley to make it 69-61 with 35 seconds to play.
UMaine plays its final home game Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Hartford.