Top performances highlighted Wednesday's America East men's basketball as Albany, UMBC and Vermont picked up wins.
The Great Danes improved to 15-4 and 4-1 in conference play with a 68-62 win at New Hampshire, while the Retrievers won for the second time in three games by beating Hartford, 70-57. Vermont also improved to 4-1 in America East play with a 61-37 victory over Bingahmton.
In Durham, Albany (15-4, 4-1 AE) outscored UNH (4-12, 0-4 AE) 30-16 in the first half and held on for its third straight win and 12th in its last 14 games. Mike Black paced the Great Danes with his sixth 20-plus point game of the season as he scored 22 and added six rebounds and four assists. Sam Rowley recorded his third-straight double-double, contributing 10 points and 10 rebounds. Chris Matagrano led the Wildcats, who have dropped six straight games, with 15 points off the bench.
In Baltimore, UMBC (4-14, 2-3 AE) jumped out to a 20-0 lead on Hartford (10-8, 3-2 AE) and never looked back as the Retrievers improved to 4-4 at home. The Retrievers held Hartford to just 31 percent shooting and 6-of-30 from three-point range while shooting 46 percent and making 9-of-17 treys themselves. Ryan Cook led the way with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Brian Neller added 15 points. Mark Nwakamma led the Hawks, who have dropped back-to-back games after a 3-0 league start, with 21 points and seven rebounds.
In Burlington, Vermont (11-6, 4-1 AE) turned 21 Bearcat turnovers into 21 points en route to the win over Binghamton (2-16, 0-5 AE). The win was UVM's 11th straight win at home vs. an America East foe and 18th in its last 19 games. Trey Blue led the Cats' by scoring 17 of his career-high 19 points in the first half. Clancy Rugg added 16 points and Brian Voelkel had 15 rebounds. Roland Brown had 10 points, five rebounds and three steals off the bench.
Recent Results - Wednesday, January 16
Albany 68, at New Hampshire 62 -- Box Score | Recap
at UMBC 70, Hartford 57 -- Box Score | Recap | Highlights
at Vermont 61, Binghamton 37 -- Box Score | Recap | Highlights