Late three-pointer lifts UMBC over UAlbany in overtime
Catonsville — With just nine seconds remaining in overtime, junior guard Ricky Council II drained a three-pointer from the baseline to give the UMBC Retrievers (11-9, 3-2) a 65-64 win over the UAlbany Great Danes (5-13, 0-4) in America East play on Saturday afternoon at the UMBC Event Center.
The Great Danes took an early four-point lead in overtime, and clung to a one-point lead with 16 seconds remaining after UMBC freshman guard Jose Placer’s jumper. But UAlbany’s senior forward Devonte Campbell was only able to make one of his two free-throws after being fouled, which gave the Retrievers, and Council II, a chance to win the game.
The Retrievers trailed, 55-50, with 2:37 remaining in regulation before reeling off five consecutive points to force overtime. The Great Danes led the entire second half, and led by as many as seven points with 9:14 remaining on the clock.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with no team leading by more than four points, as poor shooting plaguing both squads; however, UAlbany was able to drain six from beyond the arc to take a three-point lead at the break.
The Great Danes relied heavily on redshirt freshman guard Cameron Healy who finished with 24 points, five rebounds and five assists. He also knocked down four 3-pointers.
But the breakout out star of the game was Placer, who finished with a career-high 22 points on 8-11 from the field and four assists, including one on the game-winner. Junior guard K.J. Jackson complimented Placer with 17 points, but fouled out with 3:26 remaining in regulation.
UMBC was without the services of sophomore forward Brandon Horvath who has an injured hand. His injury meant that the team only dressed 11 players, with four on the injured list.
The Retrievers head to Burlington on Wednesday evening to face perennial America East powerhouse Vermont. It’ll be the first of two consecutive road games.
