Smith’s 21 Points Helps Men’s Hoops Grind Out Win over UMBC, 84-81

Saturday, January 30

Catonsville, Md.

1 PM

University of New Hampshire

12-9, 5-3AE

University of Maryland Baltimore County

5-18, 1-7AE

UNH

UMBC

Photo by: Greg Greene

Smith’s 21 Points Helps Men’s Hoops Grind Out Win over UMBC, 84-81

1/30/2016 3:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Baltimore, Md. – Junior Jaleen Smith (Freeport, Texas) scored 21 points, 15 in the final half, to lead the University of New Hampshire men's basketball team to an 84-81 win over the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Saturday afternoon at the RAC Arena.

The Wildcats improved to 12-9 overall and 5-3 in America East play. The Retrievers dropped to 5-18 overall and 1-7 in conference play.

NEXT UP
The Wildcats have a six-day break after closing out the first half of America East play. UNH travels to Binghamton University (Feb. 6; 4 p.m.) with a chance of sweeping the Bearcats in the season series at the Events Center. New Hampshire returns home on Monday, Feb. 8 (7 p.m.) to host the University of Maine.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The final stanza was neck and neck the entire way, with no team leading by more than four points. With 6:48 to go, and the score even at 61 apiece, sophomore Tanner Leissner (Converse, Texas) drilled two free throws on a lay up attempt in which he was fouled. Junior Jacoby Armstrong (Sachse, Texas) hit a free throw himself to increase the lead to three before UMBC's Jourdan Grant scored two of his eight free throws in the final half. Armstrong recorded his third career double double, second of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Grant hit a 3-pointer with 4:15 to play to take a 68-67 lead, the final lead for the Retrievers the remainder of the contest, before an Armstrong lay in erased the deficit.

The score was tied 75-75, the fifth and final even score for the game, with 1:24 to play before Leissner buried his one and only 3-point attempt to give the Wildcats their final lead. UNH shot 14 of 18 from the free-throw line in the final 5:58 to seal the deal.

UMBC jumped out to a 19-10 lead, 7:11 into the contest. Lyles and Darley did most of the dirty work with seven points apiece in the stretch. The Wildcats stormed back to knot it up, 34-34, with 3:11 to play. Freshman Pat McNamara (Arlington Heights, Ill.) entered the game and buried 3 of 4, 3-pointers in the opening half to narrow the deficit. Jairus Lyles closed out the half with 18 points, including two free throws to finish the opening 20 minutes with a 41-37 lead.

-POSTGAME NOTES-

UNH STARTERS (SEASON/CAREER STARTS)
Jr. G Jaleen Smith (17/61)
So. F Iba Camara (18/26)
So. F Tanner Leissner (17/44)
Sr. G Ronnel Jordan (17/19)
Jr. G Joe Bramanti (15/34)

GROUPS RECORD: 4-1

SERIES INFO
The Wildcats improve to 16-10 in the all-time series, including three straight victories over UMBC.
The last time UNH scored over 84 points against UMBC was in Feb. 13, 2013 in a 92-86 overtime win.

ATTENDANCE: 1007

TEAM NOTES
The Wildcats bench outscoring the Retrievers' in the first half 22-0 and 34-15 in 40 minutes of action.
UNH's streak of outrebounding its opponents was snapped after four games. UMBC led 37-35 on the glass.
New Hampshire drilled 10 3-pointers to UMBC's five.
UMBC led for most of the contest (21 minutes, 6 seconds) and the Wildcats led for 12:14 to pull out the win.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Jaleen Smith: 21 points / 6 rebounds / 4 assists
Jacoby Armstrong: 17 points / 11 rebounds / 2 assists
Pat McNamara: 12 points / 4-5 3's
Tanner Leissner: 12 points / 4 rebounds / 7-10 FTs

Jairus Lyles: 26 points / 10-18 FGs / 2 assists
Rodney Elliott: 17 points / 3 rebounds
Jourdan Grant: 15 points / 4 rebounds / 8-12 FTs
Will Darley: 14 points / 9 rebounds / 2 assists / 1 block

Text UNH to 90561 to sign up for Sports alerts. Message & Data Rates May Apply. 1 message/text. Consent to receive a text message is not a condition of purchasing goods or services. Text HELP to 90561 for info. STOP to cancel. T&Cs & Privacy Policy is available HERE. Click HERE to sign up for newsletters on your favorite sports.