Leissner, Smith Lead ‘Cats Back to Semis for Third Straight Year

Wednesday, March 1

Durham, N.H.

7:30 PM

University of New Hampshire

20-11, 10-6AE

University of Maryland Baltimore County

18-12, 9-7AE

UMBC Retrievers

New Hampshire

Leissner, Smith Lead ‘Cats Back to Semis for Third Straight Year

3/1/2017 10:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Post Game Presser

DURHAM, N.H. – Senior Jaleen Smith (Freeport, Texas) and junior Tanner Leissner (Converse, Texas) each scored 20 points to lead UNH to a program-tying 20^th win of the season in a 74-65 win over the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in the America East Championships quarterfinal round in Lundholm.

NEXT UP
New Hampshire advances to the semifinals for the third straight year and is set to play the University of Vermont in the America East Championships on Monday, March 6 (7 PM) on the road.

HIGHLIGHTS

The largest crowd of the season (1,438) watched the team lead from start to finish.
Smith scored 20 points and collected seven rebounds and seven assists in 40 minutes.
Leissner scored 20 points on 8 of 14 shooting.
The Wildcats tied a program record for wins in a season with 20, previously set last year.
UNH is on a 6-game winning streak for the first time since the 1994-95 season.
UNH shot 55.1 percent (27 of 49) from the field including 9 of 19 3-pointers.
The Wildcats led 36-29 at the break and led by as much as 13 in the game.
Junior Iba Camara (Dakar, Senegal) grabbed 16 boards and scored 10 points for his 10^th double-double of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
In the second frame with a 36-29 lead, UNH had a fantastic start pushing the lead to 13, the largest of the season between the two teams, just five minutes into the frame. Dion scored eight to kick start the second-half push. The Retrievers responded with a 12-0 run which spanned over six minutes that cut the UNH lead to 52-51 with 8:33 on the clock. UNH had a few turnovers and defensive mistakes that cost them. The Wildcats stretched it back up to eight, 59-51 just two minutes later for a little cushion. UMBC couldn't recover as UNH increased its lead back to 12 points with 29 seconds to play from a Dion free throw.

Reed got on the board first with a wing three to take a 3-0 lead just 30 seconds into the contest. The Wildcats' lead increased to eight points, 17-9 following a Leissner freebie and a Dion 3-pointer with 12:39 to play in the game. UMBC cut it to four points at the 10:45 mark on two Jairus Lyles free throws. The Retrievers couldn't reduce the deficit the rest of the half below four points. The Wildcats led 36-29 at the break behind Leissner's 12 points and Smith's 10. Camara dominated the glass with nine rebounds in the half.

-POSTGAME NOTES-
UNH STARTERS (SEASON/CAREER STARTS)
Sr. G Jaleen Smith (31/103)
Sr. G Daniel Dion (31/65)
Jr. G Jordan Reed (26/26)
Jr. F Tanner Leissner (31/85)
Jr. F Iba Camara (26/63)

GROUP'S RECORD: 13-9

SERIES INFO
The Wildcats stretched its all-time lead to 19-11.

ATTENDANCE: 1,438

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Jaleen Smith: 20 points / 7 rebounds / 7 assists / 8 of 12 shooting
Tanner Leissner: 20 points / 3 rebounds / 4 assists / 8 of 14 shooting
Daniel Dion: 14 points / 5 of 12 shooting
Iba Camara: 10 points / 16 rebounds / 4 of 6 shooting

Jairus Lyles: 17 points / 3 rebounds / 4 assists
Rodney Elliot: 10 points / 4 of 7 shooting