Leissner Becomes Career Scoring Leader in 68-59 Loss to UMBC

Sunday, February 11

Durham, N.H.

1 PM

University of New Hampshire

10-16 (6-6AE)

University of Maryland Baltimore County

18-9 (9-3AE)

UMBC Retrievers

New Hampshire

Photo by: Audrey Powell

Leissner Becomes Career Scoring Leader in 68-59 Loss to UMBC

2/11/2018 5:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Postgame Pres Conference

DURHAM, N.H. – Tanner Leissner (Converse, Texas) scored a team-high 16 points to become the all-time leading scorer at the University of New Hampshire, but the men's basketball team was defeated 68-59 by UMBC at Lundholm Gym on Sunday afternoon.

Leissner entered the game with 1,856 points, five less than the previous benchmark held by Al McClain since 1984. He tied and broke that record when he made two free throws at 5:41 of the first half. Leissner's record is now 1,872 career points.

Leissner is UNH's career record holder in points, minutes (3,908), free throws made (510) and free throws attempted (659).

Iba Camara (Dakar, Senegal) recorded a double-double for the fourth consecutive game with 11 points and game-high 10 rebounds; he also had a team-high four assists. Josh Hopkins (Greensboro, N.C.) and Jordan Reed (Lucas, Texas) scored in double digits with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

UMBC was led by Jairus Lyles (18 points), Jourdan Grant (14) and K.J. Maura (eight assists). Daniel Akin chipped in nine points and team-high eight rebounds.

New Hampshire is now 10-16 overall and 6-6 in America East. UMBC, which had lost six straight at Lundholm Gym, improved to 18-9, 9-3.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Wildcats hit the road again Feb. 15 (7 p.m.) at the University of Vermont.
UNH's next home game is Senior Day on Feb. 27 vs. UMass Lowell. The four seniors will be honored prior to the 1p.m. start.
Tickets for all home games are available online at www.unhwildcats.com or by calling (603) 862-4000.

THE DIFFERENCE

UMBC closed the game on a 23-11 run the last eight minutes to record the nine-point victory.
The Retrievers kept the Wildcats at bay in the last two minutes by making 7 of 8 foul shots.

GAME RECAP

After the Retrievers scored the first two points of the game, the Wildcats took a 5-2 lead on Reed's 3-pointer at 18:33 and remained in front the next four minutes.
Lyles only 3-pointer of the game tied the score, 9-9, at 14:28, and the visitors held a pair of one-point leads until Hopkins buried a 3-pointer to give UNH a 15-13 lead at 11:52.
At 10:28, UMBC tied the game up at 15-15 and then took a three-point lead with a 3-pointer by Joe Sherburne at 9:08.
UNH took back the lead, 22-20, on consecutive 3-pointers by Hopkins and Elijah Jordan (Orlando, Fla.).
Leissner then hit his milestone free throws to give the 'Cats a 24-20 lead at 5:41.
UNH matched its largest lead of the half – and game – with leads of 27-22 and 29-24 before the visitors rallied to tie the score at 29.
A reverse layup by Leissner with 1:03 on the clock gave New Hampshire a 31-29 lead heading into halftime.
UNH came out strong in the opening of the second half, keeping their lead for the first four minutes, with the help of a 3-pointer from Leissner at 18:51.
The Retrievers went up, 37-36, 5:30 into the half and extended the lead to 43-39 at 10:15, but UNH answered with a 9-1 run – four points from Camara and five by Hopkins – to make the score 48-45 in the Wildcats' favor.
UMBC tied it up at 48-48 as part of a 7-0 run that gave the visitors a 52-48 lead at 5:57, and the Retrievers held the lead the rest of the way.
Leading 55-52 with three minutes remaining, UMBC scored six consecutive points to push the lead to nine points, 61-52 at 1:55.
Leissner kept the Wildcats' scoring going by sinking a 3-pointer, decreasing UMBC's lead to seven points with 17 seconds to go, but Maura hit a pair of free throws with 10 seconds remaining to secure the win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

There were seven ties and 10 lead changes in the game.
UMBC shot 54.5% from the floor despite struggling from 3-point range (4-14; 28.6%).
UNH made 10 of 32 second-half field goals (31.3%). The Wildcats finished with a .351 shooting percentage that included 32.1% from 3-point range.
UMBC recorded a 33-30 rebounding advantage, but UNH had a 17-0 scoring edge in second-chance points.
The turnovers were even at 10, but UMBC recorded an 18-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
Leissner scored 16 points by shooting 6-13 from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line.

UNH NOTEBOOK

Camara increased his school record for career rebounds to 970.
He also moved into a tie for No. 3 on the career games played list (117).
Leissner claimed sole possession of No. 3 on the career rebounds list with 841. He is tied for No. 6 on the career games played list with 116.
Leissner has been UNH's top scorer in 19 of 26 games this season.
Camara has been the top rebounder in 18 of 26.