UMBC survives at New Hampshire, 59-51
UMBC men’s basketball survived a turnover-plagued game and held on to defeat the New Hampshire Wildcats (3-16, 1-5), 59-51, Saturday afternoon in Durham, N.H.
The Retrievers (13-9, 5-2) turned the ball over 16 times, and as a result allowed the Wildcats to stay in the game in the second half. New Hampshire took a one-point lead, 48-47, with 5:47 remaining in the game when sophomore guard Josh Hopkins nailed a three-pointer from the right side. That, however, would be the last of the good news for the Wildcats.
UMBC would re-take the lead at the 4:26 mark on a jumper by graduate student forward Joe Sherburne, and would never look back. The Retrievers would finish the game on a 12-3 run.
The first half was relatively low-scoring with both teams going on scoring droughts. The game was knotted at 16 with only 6:50 left on the clock until halftime. The Retrievers then went on a mini-run and took a 31-23 lead into the locker room.
Junior guard K.J. Jackson led UMBC with 21 points and three steals, but also turned the ball over on four occasions. Sherburne checked in with 14 points and nine rebounds.
New Hampshire wasn’t without their problems handling the ball as they suffered through 14 turnovers and struggled from the field shooting 41% for the game.
Sophomore guard Elijah Jordan led the Wildcats with 10 points but also accumulated four turnovers. Hopkins tallied eight points and six rebounds.
The Retrievers return home the UMBC Event Center on Wednesday evening to face the America East Conference leading Stony Brook Seawolves who are undefeated in conference play so far this season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm
