Last Second Free Throws Secure UMBC’s Victory Over New Hampshire

By: Ethan Hennessy

Catonsville Maryland

Saturday’s America East Conference game featured two teams heading in opposite directions. New Hampshire lost four straight games entering the contest, including the first two of conference play. Meanwhile, UMBC had won their previous two games, including the America East opener against Maine at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on Thursday.

UMBC struggled uncharacteristically on the glass in the first half. The Retrievers who entered the game leading the league in defensive rebounds per game at 27.2 only mustered up eight to the Wildcats 17 in the first half. Belal El Shakery recorded a near double-double by halftime. The New Hampshire forward scored 13 points and corralled eight rebounds in only 13 minutes of playing time. After the game UMBC coach Jim Ferry talked about how the Wildcats physically dominated them on both sides of the ball in the first half.

UMBC received the majority of its production from three players Ace Valentine, DJ Armstrong, and Jah’Likai King. One of those Retrievers seemed to score or assist on almost every play. UMBC worked their way back into the game after Jose Tanchyn hit an uncontested corner three and followed it up with an elbow jump shot. The Retrievers trailed by nine at halftime, but by the time New Hampshire called a timeout at 12:39, the game was tied. It was one of those quiet runs that one is almost not even aware UMBC is making a run until you look up at the scoreboard.  

The teams remained very close for the rest of the half. With 60 seconds to play they were tied at 71. New Hampshire had the ball. John Squire of the Wildcats hit his head hard on the floor while going for a rebound and had to leave the game. El Shakery hit one from the line. After being fouled, Caden Diggs converted two free throws for UMBC. El Shakery answered with a New Hampshire bucket. UMBC had the ball with 4.1 seconds to go down 74-73 and RJ Kennedy committed a foul to send DJ Armstrong to the line to shoot one and one. He hit both and secured the win for the Retrievers. After the game he said he didn’t think much about the shots as he was trying to keep his mind clear during the timeout.

Postgame Jim Ferry said it is vitally important to win games at home but it is also important to be able to move on quickly as he said this game could have just as easily gone the other way so they can’t get comfortable. New Hampshire will conclude their three game road trip on Monday January 19^th in Orono Maine against the Blackbears. New Hampshire is still looking to get in the win column in the America East standings through four games. UMBC who is still perfect in conference play will hit the road playing at Bryant next.