New Hampshire Remains Winless in America East Playoff Road Games After Losing to UMBC

By: Ethan Hennessy

Baltimore Maryland

In the history of the program the Wildcats were 0-10 in America East Quarterfinal games on the road, and 0-15 in America East Playoff Road games in general. Both of those streaks became extended when a shorthanded #5 New Hampshire team fell to #4 UMBC at the Events Center in Baltimore 73-67.

“I’m very very proud of the guys and the season we had. We made great strides this year.” said Doug Poole head coach of New Hampshire after his team amassed 15 wins and claimed the five seed in the America East Playoffs after only posting 5 wins and being the sole program in the nine team conference to miss the America East Playoffs last season.

Brandon Horvath of UMBC performs a spin move and puts up a shot over a New Hampshire defender in the America East Playoff Quarterfinals in Baltimore MD.

UMBC held a 38-18 advantage in points in the paint thanks in large part to Brandon Horvath who played all forty minutes for UMBC and contributed 13 points. New Hampshire coach Doug Poole explained after the game how the Retrievers were able to score so well inside “They got the ball so deep against us in isolation one on one situations, and we didn’t handle it well”.

New Hampshire only played seven players throughout the game, and only three of them scored above eight points. UMBC coach Ryan Odom said the focus was on limiting the production of part of their lineup. “We felt going in we had to take at least two or three of their guys, it didn’t matter who, and they had to have subpar games. If they get to seven, and they are all playing well they would be tough to beat, and I thought that was the key for us.” Sean Sutherlin of UNH led the way for his team recording 19 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and a steal. KJ Jackson of UMBC was his team’s leading contributor with 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, and three steals.

Brandon Horvath of UMBC shoots a free throw. The Chesapeake Bay Retrievers went 21-26 from the free throw line in the win.

New Hampshire ended the season at 15-15, and UMBC lost their next game in the semifinals 81-74 in Burlington Vermont at Pattrick Gymnasium falling to 16-17 before the remainder of the 2020 college basketball season was cancelled.