Tuesday, December 23, 2008

UMBC Gets Rare Win at Nebraska

Rookie Chauncey Gilliam scored 21 points and added 8 rebounds as UMBC defeated Nebraska, 66-64, ending the Cornhuskers’ streak of 31-straight non-conference wins at the Devaney Sports Center. Gilliam made 9-of-11 shots from the field and received help from veterans Darryl Proctor and Jay Greene in the Retrievers’ first win over a school from a BCS conference. Proctor had 15 points and 13 rebounds while Greene added 13 points and 9 assists. UMBC jumped on Nebraska early, leading by 20 before settling into a 37-21 lead at the half. The Retrievers shot 57.1 percent from the floor for the game and made 15-of-18 free throws, including 6-of-6 in the final 1:37. Nebraska had a chance to tie with 2 seconds left but Proctor blocked a shot by Steve Harley to secure the win. UMBC is now 6-5 while the Huskers fall to 7-3.

America East scoring leader D.J. Rivera (20.8 ppg) continued to have the hot hand for Binghamton as he poured in 22 points in a 69-58 win over Rider. Rivera added 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the year. The Bearcats trailed 43-38 with 13:57 remaining before a deciding 22-4 run. Moussa Camara added 13 points, all in the first half, for the Bearcats, who improve to 5-4.

Rookie Gerald McLemore scored 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting but Boston College handled Maine, 99-66, at Chestnut Hill. Vermont fans, turn away from the screen: Former Catamount Joe Trapani scored 15 points and added 4 rebounds for the Eagles. The 6-8, 220-pound forward, who has started all 12 games for the 10-2 Eagles, is now second on the team in scoring (14.0 ppg) and leads the team with 6.4 rebounds per game.

Sophomores Tyrone Conley (12 points, 6 rebounds) and Alvin Abreu (10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) reached double figures but New Hampshire fell 60-56 at Fordham.

America East teams take a break for the holidays before returning to action Saturday at Binghamton plays at Tulane, New Hampshire hosts Hofstra (4 p.m.) and Vermont meets George Washington in Hawaii.