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.

This and That About Saturday's Action

A lot of intriguing angles surrounding each of Saturday's games. All six squads in action are coming off victories. In fact, conference teams have combined to go 9-1 to start the month of December. Here's a look at the matchups:

• Brown at New Hampshire kick things off at 1 at Lundholm Gym. The Bears' coaching staff is certainly familar with America East. Assistant coach T.J. Sorrentine earned Player of the Year honors in 2002 and buried Syracuse with his legendary 30-footer in the 2005 NCAA tournament. Volunteer assistant Kyle Cieplicki was a four year standout for the Catamounts and head coach Jessie Agel was an assistant for all three of Vermont championship squads.
• Binghamton, fresh off back-to-back wins looks for its first-ever win against a Big East foe when they take on Rutgers at 2
• Boston U. hosts Marshall at 3. The will be the second of at least 6 to be played at Agganis Area this season. The Terriers have won four of six to start the season after compiling a 1-5 mark through the first 6 games of last seasson.
• Hartford's tilt with La Salle will be televised on NESN at 4. Explorer's coach John Giannini was the head coach at Maine for 8 seasons.
• In the game of the day, Albany, winners of 5 straight, renews its rivalry with Siena at 7 at the Times Union Center. Over 10,600 tickets had already been sold as of 1 p.m. yesterday.
• Vermont faces the No. 3 team in the country in Pittsburgh at 7. The Cats have won 2 of their last 4 games against ranked opponents, knocking off Boston College in 2006 and the afore mentioned upset of the Orange in '05.

Albany, Binghamton Stay Hot

Anthony Raffa posted game-highs of 17 points and 5 assists, while adding a team-high 6 rebounds to lead Albany to its fifth straight win, a 57-47 decision over Bryant. Brian Connelly contributed 13 points and Tim Ambrose added 11 on 3-of-4 shooting from the floor. Binghamton won its second consecutive contest after drubbing Quinnipiac 74-58. D.J. Rivera and Dwayne Jackson led the way with 17 points each. Reggie Fuller added 12, while Malik Alvin had 11.

Vermont and Stony Brook hit the floor on Tuesday. The Catamounts host Dartmouth at 7 and the Seawolves travel to New Jersey Tech for a 7 o'clock tip.

Hartford Wins at Philly Classic

Behind a game-high 17 points from Joe Zeglinski, Hartford posted a 50-38 victory over New Jersey Tech in the Liberty bracket of the Philly Hoop Group Classic at the famed Palestra in Philadelphia. Mark Socoby scored a game-high 28 points, but Maine fell to host South Alabama in the USA Basketball Classic in Mobile.

All 9 America East teams are in action on Saturday. Vermont hosts Loyola at 1, while Hartford faces Niagara in the title game of the Liberty bracket in the Philly Classic at 2. Binghamton entertains Utah Valley State and Stony Brook goes to Columbia, both at 2, Toledo visits UMBC at 2:05 and Maine takes on Tulane in the consolation game of the USA Basketball Classic at 6. Boston University goes for its fourth straight win against Mount St. Mary's, Albany takes on Penn at SEFCU Arena, both at 7. In the final game of the night, New Hampshire travels to Marist for a 7:30 tip.

Binghamton Wins Opener

D.J. Rivera scored 28 points and added 10 rebounds to lead Binghamton to an 80-62 win over Mansfield at the Events Center on Monday. Hartford trailed No. 2 Connecticut, 43-42 early in the second half before the Huskies went on a 33-5 run en route to a 99-56 win. Morgan Sabia scored 15 points for the Hawks. Mike Johnson scored 16 points and handed out 7 assists but Albany fell to a Big East team for the second time in four days, losing 75-64 at DePaul. UMBC is now 1-1 following a 67-60 loss at crosstown rival Morgan State. Darryl Proctor had 19 points and 8 rebounds for the Retrievers.

Three America East teams are in action Tuesday. Stony Brook looks to start the season at 2-0 for the first time in its Division I history when the Seawolves travel to Lafayette. Vermont and Boston University look to bounce back from overtime losses to George Mason and George Washington, respectively. The Catamounts play host to Yale while the Terriers are at Bucknell. Each of the three games starts at 7.

UNH Wins Opener

Eric Gilchrese scored 21 points and Tyrece Gibbs added 18 as New Hampshire opened its season with a 101-50 win over Suffolk on Sunday.

Four America East teams are in action Monday. Hartford plays No. 2 Connecticut at the Hartford Civic Center. That game can be seen live on SportsNet New York. UMBC travels across town to play Morgan State. Binghamton plays host to Mansfield. All three games are at 7. Albany continues its tour of Big East teams when the Great Danes travel to DePaul for an 8:30 start.