UMBC women’s basketball redshirt senior guard Tiara Bellamy said the Retrievers are targeting an America East championship after reaching the second round of the WNIT. Bellamy discussed her development, transfer to UMBC, the team’s road win at Virginia and her future in a conversation with PressBox.
Bellamy averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game for UMBC in 2025-26. The Plainfield, N.J., native graduated from Immaculate Conception High School and began her college career at Saint Peter’s before transferring to UMBC.
Tiara Bellamy Expanded Her Role at UMBC
Bellamy said she earned a larger role by spending the summer working in the gym with her coaches. She stayed on campus, learned the game and focused on investing in herself and the program.
That work helped Bellamy become a captain and earn a starting role. She said the opportunity also allowed her to help lead UMBC to its first Power Four win and its first second-round appearance in the WNIT.
“That led to me becoming a captain and ultimately getting that starting role and leading the team to not only [our] first Power Four win but also our first WNIT second round,” Bellamy said.
UMBC Women’s Basketball Targets America East Title
Bellamy described UMBC’s road win at Virginia as an important experience for a team that believed it could win in a difficult environment. She said the group trusted one another and did not settle simply because it faced a Power Four opponent.
Bellamy said the WNIT gave UMBC postseason experience, but the Retrievers want to take another step. “The WNIT experience was a great experience, but ultimately as a program we want more,” she said. “We really want to win an America East championship.”
Bellamy said reaching that goal will require the team to stay on the same page and handle the daily details that prepare players for the mental and physical demands of postseason games. She also said eight returning players share the same championship objective and remain invested in UMBC’s culture.
Bellamy’s Path From Saint Peter’s to UMBC
Bellamy said her father, Terrence, introduced her to basketball. He coached at her local elementary school, and spending time with him at practices helped grow her interest in the sport.
Bellamy chose Saint Peter’s because of its local setting, coaching staff and community. She later transferred to UMBC after connecting with coach Candice Hill, whose approach to recruiting and building the program influenced Bellamy’s decision.
Bellamy identified UMBC’s culture, particularly within athletics, as one of the program’s strengths. She said the athletic department feels like one big family and that the coaching staff’s open-door policy gives players a place to discuss basketball and life.
Tiara Bellamy Plans to Pursue Coaching
Bellamy said Alaina Williams is her closest friend on the team. Williams joined UMBC at the same time as Bellamy and Hill, and Bellamy said their friendship has grown since their first season together.
For younger players hoping to compete in college, Bellamy emphasized self-belief, patience and mental health. She said athletes should advocate for themselves, give themselves grace and recognize that not everything will go according to plan.
Bellamy hopes to remain in the sport after her playing career. “I want to coach women’s college basketball, so hopefully getting a [graduate assistant] position or just going right into coaching,” she said.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Bellamy’s comments show that UMBC women’s basketball views the WNIT appearance as a step toward a larger goal rather than an endpoint. Her expanded role, along with the return of eight players who share the team’s championship objective, gives the Retrievers continuity as they pursue an America East title.
Source: Original report
