WEST HARTFORD, Conn.— The ninth-seeded Binghamton Bearcats used a record-setting performance to oust eight-seeded UMBC, 91-65, in the first-round of the 2011 America East Men's & Women's Basketball Championship presented by Newman's Own Thursday at University of Hartford's Chase Family Arena.
Binghamton (8-22) set a championship record with 17 three-pointers in the game, surpassing the previous record of 14, which it surpassed seven minutes into the second half. UMBC (5-25) could never bounce back from the slow start, falling behind by as many as 35 in the game.
The Bearcats, who advance to face top-seed Vermont in the quarterfinal round Saturday, opened the game shooting 82 percent from the field, including 7-of-9 from behind the arc to take an early 23-6 lead. Binghamton shot 60 percent for the half and finished the game at 51.7 percent, just the fourth time this season they've eclipsed that mark
“We just ran into a buzz saw,” proclaimed UMBC coach Randy Monroe.
“We shot the ball extremely well today,” said second-year Binghamton coach Mark Macon. “There was pretty much no stopping these two guys.”
Seniors Greer Wright and Moussa Camara led the way for Binghamton with 31 and 30 points, respectively. They combined for 13 three-pointers, nine assists and 14 rebounds.
Justin Fry recorded 13 points to lead the Retrievers, who trailed for the entire contest. The senior added four assists and a team-high six boards in his final game. Junior Chris De La Rosa dished out a game-high eight assists.
The Bearcats face top-seed Vermont (22-7) on Saturday at 2:15 p.m. to continue their search for a second title in three years. The Catamounts swept Binghamton in the regular season, including an 18-point victory in New York.