UMBC Hits A Buzzer Beating Three Pointer In Overtime to Beat Wagner

Catonsville MD

By: Ethan Hennessy

Wagner entered Sunday’s matinee in the Baltimore suburbs looking for its first win of the season after tallying losses to VCU, Seton Hall, and Fordham. The game at UMBC marked the midway point of seven straight road games to open the season for the Seahawks. UMBC returned home to the Peake after splitting a two-game road trip that took the Retrievers to Dayton and Morgan State. Both teams struggled with ball security early, committing five turnovers by the under-eight media timeout of the first half. After narrowly trailing for most of the first half, Wagner re-took the lead late in the half and led 32-28 at the break.

At the start of the second half the Seahawks emerged with energy. Dwan McMillan, who is looking for his first career win as interim head coach was animated all game long on the sidelines and motivating his players in a spirited manor. After only hitting one three-pointer for the game up to that point, the Retrievers hit two and began cutting into the Wagner lead halfway through the second half. UMBC had the deficit down to 51-47 with 7:29 to go. UMBC tied it up at 53 with 5:24 to go and the home crowd at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena began to get some life. The teams traded leads in the final minutes. Wagner had the ball with one minute left and a one-point lead. They came up empty on the offensive end. UMBC’s Jah’likai King capitalized on the other end, converting a layup through contact and hitting the free throw. Wagner’s Nick Jones converted two free throws to tie the game at 60. UMBC got the ball with 14.8 seconds and a chance to win the game, but the shot clanged off the rim.

Much like the tail end of the regulation, overtime was tightly contested. With 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime, DJ Armstrong Jr. hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer while double-teamed to win the game for the Retrievers.

Both teams will travel to Washington D.C. for their next games. UMBC will face George Washington, while Wagner will meet Georgetown.