Smith Drops 23 Points, Men’s Hoops Defeats UMBC, 78-69, in Regular Season Finale

Saturday, February 27

Durham, N.H.

12 PM

University of New Hampshire

18-11, 11-5AE

University of Maryland Baltimore County

7-24, 3-13AE

UMBC

UNH

Photo by: Paige O'Donnell

Smith Drops 23 Points, Men’s Hoops Defeats UMBC, 78-69, in Regular Season Finale

2/27/2016 3:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

DURHAM, N.H. – Junior Jaleen Smith (Freeport, Texas) matched his career-high with 23 points to lead the University of New Hampshire men's basketball team to a 78-69 win against the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, on Senior and Alumni Day in Lundholm Gym.

UNH closes out the regular season with an 18-11 record, matching last seasons record through the regular season, and a 11-5 America East record. UMBC finished its regular season with a record of 7-24 overall and 3-13 in league play.

NEXT UP
The Wildcats have clinched a home playoff game for the America East Playoffs Quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 2 (7:30 p.m.). The opponent will be determined later tonight. Tickets are on sale now at the Whittemore Center Box Office, online HERE or on the phone at 603-862-4000.

HIGHLIGHTS

Smith shot 6 of 12 from the field, hit both 3-pointers and nailed 9 of 10 free throws.
Junior Daniel Dion (Cedar Park, Texas) scored 20 points, his first 20+ game since Nov. 30, 2014 at Dartmouth College.
On Senior Day, Ronnel Jordan (San Antonio, Texas) finished with 12 points on 5 of 9 shooting.
Sophomore Iba Camara (Dakar, Senegal) finished with nine points and 14 rebounds, his second straight 10+ rebound game.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Throughout the majority of the second half, UNH held an eight-point cushion until 5:48 to go when a Joe Sherburne lay up decreased the deficit to 63-56. UMBC brought the score to seven points, 63-56, on another layup by Sherburne. The Retrievers whittled the score down to three points, 67-64, by the 1:40 mark on a Jourdan Grant lay-in. The Wildcats went 9-for-10 from the free-throw line in the final 1:40 to secure the win.

The Wildcats jumped out to a 14-point lead, 26-12, with 7:19 to go in the first half. Jordan scored UNH's first two baskets. UMBC fought back to come within six points, 27-21 with 5:51 to go before UNH increased the lead to 15, 41-26, by the first-half buzzer. Smith finished the half with 16 points and Dion recorded 10 points.

-POSTGAME NOTES-
UNH STARTERS (SEASON/CAREER STARTS)
Jr. G Jaleen Smith (25/69)
So. F Iba Camara (26/34)
So. F Tanner Leissner (25/52)
Sr. G Ronnel Jordan (25/27)
Jr. G Joe Bramanti (23/42)

GROUPS RECORD: 10-3

SERIES INFO

UNH has won four straight against UMBC.
The Wildcats have not lost to the Retrievers at home since Jan. 2, 2012.

ATTENDANCE: 1,281

TEAM NOTES

The Wildcats shot 47.1 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 88.0 percent from the charity stripe.
The bench, led by Dion, outscored UMBC 22-4.
UNH outscored UMBC 41-26 in the opening frame.
Seven Wildcats finished with 10+ minutes.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Jaleen Smith: 23 points / 6 rebounds / 4 assists / 9-10 FTs
Daniel Dion: 20 points / 2 rebounds / 6-13 FGs / 4-9 3's / 4-4 FTs
Ronnel Jordan: 12 points / 1 rebound / 2 assists / 1 steal

Jairus Lyles: 27 points / 5 rebounds / 4 assists / 4 steals / 9-21 FGs
Jourdan Grant: 14 points / 4 rebounds / 1 assist / 1 steal
Joe Sherburne: 10 points / 9 rebounds / 4-10 FGs

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