The Terriers found a way to win on Sunday and remain undefeated at home and in league play, even though it wasn't as dominant as their previous America East victories.
Coming into Sunday's affair with Hartford, a rematch of the 2011 America East title game, Boston U. (14-6, 7-0 AE) averaged a scoring margin of +22.2 against league opponents. The Terriers needed a comeback to defeat the Hawks 53-46.
It was the Hawks (11-10, 2-5 AE) who jumped out early to an 8-0 lead and eventually to a 26-17 halftime advantage. Despite Alex Hall's season-high 21 points, Hartford relinquished the lead in the second half as the Terriers improved on their 38.1 percent shooting in the first half to hit 44.8 percent of their shots in the second stanza.
Three Terriers scored in double digits and all seven who got into the game scored a field goal. Junior Mo Moran netted a team-high 13 points and classmate Chantell Alford notched 10 points and team-highs of nine rebounds and four assists.
A 19-0 run in the second half made the difference in a back-and-forth game up in Durham, N.H. where visiting Binghamton (10-10, 4-3 AE) defeated New Hampshire (10-9, 3-4 AE) 64-55. Going into the second half with a slim 24-22 lead, the Bearcats outscored the Wildcats 40-33 over the final 20 minutes, shooting 59.3 percent.
All five Binghamton starters scored 10+ points, including senior Orla O'Reilly's 15 points. On the other bench, senior Denise Beliveau had a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Wildcats.
UMBC's upperclassmen paced the Retrievers (11-9, 5-2 AE) to a 67-58 win at Vermont (8-13, 2-6 AE), UMBC's fourth win in the last five games. This sets the stage as the Retrievers get ready to take on first-place Boston U. Wednesday in Baltimore on ESPN3 at noon.
Michelle Kurowski notched a game-high 20 points, a season high for the UMBC senior. Junior Kristin Coles netted 19 points, and senior Erin Brown earned a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Senior Topé Obajolu set the school record for single-game blocks with seven on the afternoon, just one shy of tying the all-time conference record.
Vermont junior Shanai Heber led the Catamounts with 14 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and four steals for a stellar afternoon. Sophomore Simononis (14 points) and freshman Tierra Shumpert (12) rounded out Vermont's top scorers.
Sunday, Jan. 22
at Boston U. 53, Hartford 46 l Boxscore l
Binghamton 64, at New Hampshire 55 (WBIN-TV) l Boxscore l
UMBC 67, at Vermont 58 (WCAXtra) l Boxscore l