UMBC edged University at Albany 66-62 in a closely contested matchup at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. The Retrievers' four-point victory marked a narrow margin, with the Great Danes pushing the game to its limits.
UMBC, the 238th-ranked team nationally in NET rankings, outscored UAlbany 28-32 in the first half, but ultimately prevailed in the second stanza, 38-30, securing the win.
Ace Valentine's performance was a microcosm of UMBC's balanced attack, as he provided a well-rounded outing that included 14 points, three rebounds, and five assists. Valentine's shooting percentages were respectable, as he connected on 36% of his field goal attempts and 40% of his three-pointers, while also going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. His ability to distribute the ball effectively was a key factor in UMBC's success, as his five assists helped to facilitate the team's scoring opportunities.
Jah'Likai King and Caden Diggs also contributed significantly to UMBC's victory, with King scoring 13 points and Diggs adding 10. King's 6-for-11 shooting performance from the field was impressive, as was his ability to score from both inside and outside the paint. Diggs, meanwhile, provided a boost in the rebounding department, grabbing seven boards to help UMBC control the glass. His shooting percentages were not as high as King's, but his ability to score from beyond the arc (2-3 3PT) was a valuable asset for the Retrievers.
Tarique Foster's 17 points, achieved on 6-for-8 shooting from the field and 5-for-6 from beyond the arc, were a bright spot for UAlbany, but ultimately fell short of propelling the team to victory. Foster's efficient shooting, however, was somewhat muted by his lack of production in other areas, as he failed to record an assist and grabbed only three rebounds.
Amir Lindsey's 15 points were bolstered by his 6-for-12 shooting from the field, but his struggles from three-point range, where he made just 1 of 5 attempts, limited his overall impact on the game. Lindsey also managed to contribute in other areas, recording four rebounds and two assists, but ultimately was not enough to offset UAlbany's overall struggles. Okechukwu Okeke's 14 points and 8 rebounds provided a solid foundation for the team, but his lack of playmaking ability and defensive impact, as evidenced by his 0 assists and 1 block, meant that he was unable to fully elevate his team to victory.
The remaining members of both rosters generally adhered to their established season averages, with no significant deviations from their typical production.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a 10.9-point margin in favor of UMBC ultimately proved correct, albeit by a narrower margin than anticipated. The actual outcome of a 4-point victory for UMBC suggests that the team's typically strong shooting was a key factor in the outcome, as their effective field goal percentage exceeded their season average.
A closer examination of the box score reveals that UMBC's ability to secure rebounds on the defensive glass was a decisive factor in the game's outcome. The Retrievers' 29.0% OREB rate, a season high, allowed them to limit UAlbany's second-chance opportunities and maintain possession, ultimately contributing to their 4-point victory. Furthermore, UMBC's above-season-average three-point shooting (40.0%) helped to stretch the Great Danes' defense and limit their scoring opportunities, while UAlbany's own three-point shooting fell slightly short of their season average, further exacerbating their struggles on offense.
The outcome of this game has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes. For UMBC, the win improves its overall record, but more importantly, it adds a Quad 3 victory to its ledger, which could potentially offset its Quad 1 loss. While it still lacks a Quad 2 win, this result should help the Retrievers move up the NET rankings, potentially solidifying their position as a strong candidate for an automatic bid from the America East conference. A win in the conference tournament would likely secure a 13-seed or higher for UMBC. Conversely, UAlbany's loss compounds its Quad 2 woes, now sitting at 0-5, a significant liability in the NCAA selection committee's evaluation. Unless the Great Danes can right their ship with a strong finish in the conference tournament, their chances of receiving an at-large bid are slim to none.