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.

Maine, Stony Brook Start Season With a Win

Rookies made an immediate impact in wins for Maine and Stony Brook on opening night. Gerald McLemore made 6-of-9 three-pointers and scored 24 points in his debut as Black Bears defeated Northern Illinois in the first game of the 100 Club Classic in Kennesaw, Ga. Freshmen Danny Carter (team-high 11 points) and Tommy Brenton (8 points, game-high 16 rebounds) led the Seawolves to a 60-44 win over Maryalnd-Eastern Shore.

In other games, Boston University and George Washington went to overtime before the Colonials pulled out a 63-58 win in front of a crowd of 4,624 at Agganis Arena. Hartford dropped a 63-62 decision to in-state rival Quinnipiac. Albany fell to #23/25 Villanova 78-60 in Philadelphia.

America East action continues Saturday as Vermont plays host to George Mason at 1. Defending America East Champion UMBC will unveil its title banner before its game vs. Stephenson at 7. Maine plays host Kennesaw State in the championship game of the 100 Club Classic at 7:30.