On Wednesday the Bearcats managed to accomplish what last year’s squad couldn’t: a win over UMBC in Maryland.
Predicted to finish last in the America East Conference, the fifth-place Bearcats (9-13, 4-3 AE) coasted past the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (1-20, 0-8 AE) on Wednesday, 80-63, and secured their fourth conference win of the season.
The Bearcats saw a tight first half as they missed eight of 11 shots, including all five shots from beyond the arc. UMBC took control of the game in the first five minutes and eventually led the Bearcats 11-6 with 14:36 left to go. Binghamton, however, struck back with seven unanswered points to take the lead. UMBC on three occasions tied the game, but it would never again take the lead.
Going into the second half, the Bearcats led the Retrievers 34-27. UMBC tried close in on Binghamton, but for every shot the Retrievers made, the green and white answered back.
Leading UMBC 47-41 in the second half with 13:17 left to go, the Bearcats began a 20-9 tear, scoring eight unanswered points to kick off the run; freshman Dylan Talley and juniors Chretien Lukusa and Mahamoud Jabbi were critical to the run.
Jabbi drained two 17-foot shots back to back while Talley put in a rebound and a layup to extend the lead to 55-41.
The Bearcats eventually expanded their lead 67-50 with 5:46 to go. UMBC tried to close the gap but got the score down no more than 12 points before Binghamton started its final run, netting 11 of its last 13 points by free throws.
“It was a good win for us,” said interim head coach Mark Macon, according to a Binghamton University press release. “I still thought we didn’t play as well defensively as we could have. But we did a nice job rebounding.”
Despite Macon’s comment about the Bearcats’ defense, Binghamton had a 39-27 advantage over the Retrievers in rebounds, including a 24-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. The Bearcats also tallied seven blocks while UMBC had none.
Talley scored a season-high 22 points, as well as five rebounds and three assists while both juniors Greer Wright and Moussa Camara had 17 points. Jabbi picked up 10 points and four blocks, 13 rebounds and one assist.
The win was the Bearcats’ second conference road win of the season and their fourth win away from the Events Center.
Meanwhile, the Retrievers’ Chauncey Gilliam led UMBC with 18 points as freshman Adrian Satchell tallied 12.
UMBC’s young lineup has produced a forgettable season. The team’s only win came against American University, a 59-57 road win. The team is on an 11-game losing streak and is still searching for its first conference win.
The Bearcats are slated to play the University of New Hampshire on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Events Center.