UMBC's Ace Valentine stole the show at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, scoring 19 points to lead the Retrievers to a 87-74 win over New Jersey Institute of Technology. The victory marked a strong performance by UMBC, who never trailed in the game and built a commanding 19-point halftime lead. Valentine's effort was matched by NJIT's Sebastian Robinson, who also scored 19 points in a losing effort.
The Retrievers dominated the first half, scoring 47 points and holding NJIT to just 28. UMBC's Jah'Likai King and Caden Diggs provided strong support to Valentine, scoring 17 and 12 points, respectively. The trio's performance allowed UMBC to dictate the pace of the game, and they took advantage of NJIT's struggles on defense. NJIT's Melvyn Ebonkoli and David Bolden tried to keep their team in the game, scoring 17 and 11 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had UMBC winning by 9.7 points, and while the final margin was slightly larger, the prediction proved accurate. The Retrievers' performance was a reflection of their strength, and they showed why they were favored to win. UMBC's ability to maintain their lead in the second half, despite NJIT's best efforts to mount a comeback, was impressive.
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Final
The game was essentially decided by halftime, with UMBC's 19-point lead proving insurmountable for NJIT. The Highlanders did manage to outscore the Retrievers in the second half, 46-40, but it was too little, too late. UMBC's strong first half had set the tone for the game, and they were able to cruise to a comfortable victory.
This win will have implications for UMBC's tournament chances, as it adds to their resume with a Quad 4 victory. However, the Retrievers must continue to perform well in their remaining games to bolster their case for a postseason bid. For NJIT, the loss drops them to 9-12 on the season and deals a blow to their own tournament hopes. The Highlanders must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for a spot in the postseason.
The Retrievers' performance will be a significant boost to their resume, as they look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. With Valentine and King leading the charge, UMBC has the potential to make some noise in their conference and potentially even beyond. The win over NJIT may not have been an upset, but it was an important one for UMBC, and they want to build on this performance in their upcoming games.