Whether it?s a clutch three-pointer at the buzzer, connecting on a key free throw down or making a strong defensive stand, UMBC has found a variety of ways to win this season.
Its resiliency has put the Retrievers ahead of the pack in the America East entering tonight?s game at 7 against Stony Brook at RAC Arena. The Retrievers (15-7, 7-2) have won three straight, including Saturday?s 75-73 win at Vermont, enabling them to surge ahead of the Catamounts (11-10, 6-3) and Binghamton (10-11, 6-3).
Still, UMBC coach Randy Monroe said if his team doesn?t play to its potential, it could suffer a damaging loss, especially against a team like Stony Brook (4-17, 1-8), which is in last place in the nine-team league.
“We?re constantly reminding the players that every game is important, whether we?re playing Vermont, Albany or Stony Brook,” Monroe said. “The key in each game is to break it into four-minute segments and try to win each segment.”
Monroe said he is extremely proud of the maturity his team has shown during its winning streak. The Retrievers played most of the second half in last week?s win against Albany and the entire Vermont game without leading scorer Brian Hodges (16.5 ppg), who is questionable for tonight?s game with a sprained left ankle.
However, the Retrievers have shown the ability to find offensive production throughout their seven-man rotation, especially from junior point guard Jay Greene, who made all five of his three-point shots en route to finishing with a career-high 26 points against Vermont.
UMBC also has received solid contributions from Justin Fry. The sophomore forward was a reserve most of the season before starting the past three games in place of senior forward Cavell Johnson (12.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg), who surrendered his starting spot because he?s more comfortable coming off the bench. Fry is averaging 4.1 points and 2.7 rebounds this season.
“I can?t say enough of how the team has responded since Brian got hurt,” Monroe said. “These players went into a hostile environment in Vermont and could have gotten down on themselves without Brian there. Instead, these players battled back and other guys found a way to score. Having that kind of balance only makes us more dangerous.”
Fry said he is comfortable coming off the bench or starting, but his biggest challenge will be to remain mentally sharp as the team enters its final seven games of the regular season. If UMBC wins the regular season title, it automatically qualifies for the National Invitation Tournament if it does not earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning next month?s America East Tournament. UMBC has never qualified for the postseason since becoming a Division I team in 1986.
“We?re at the point of the season where every game matters even more,” Fry said. “We can?t avoid any type of slump now. Getting into the NCAA Tournament is why I?m playing college basketball. That?s our goal: to win the conference tournament and see what we can do after that.”
