The UMBC men’s basketball team (4-4) will face off against the Delaware State University Hornets (2-6) on Wednesday Dec. 6. The Retrievers have had a good season thus far, winning all of their home games and currently ranked fifth in the America East conference standings. They look to get back to their winning ways after seeing their three game win streak come to an end during their last game against the Army Black Knights (4-2). Their opponents, the Hornets, are on a two game losing streak and have scored 70 or more points in just two games this season.
Retriever guard Jairus Lyles will look to continue his stellar play and lead the the Retrievers to another W. Lyles ranks in the top 100 offensive leaders throughout all of Division 1 basketball. He is averaging 19.7 points per game, with a field goal percentage of 47.5, and shooting over 81 percent from the stripe. Senior point guard K.J. Maura is also playing at a tremendous level, ranking amongst the top 25 in assistant to turnover ratio at a 4.17 rate.
UMBC’s high flying offense has been exciting to watch throughout the first eight games of the season. The Retrievers are averaging over 82 points and 16.5 assists per game, which both rank in the top half of teams across the nation. The attack is shifting into gear and the defense is performing admirably, which can make for a lethal combination with conference play on the horizon.
In their last home win, the Retrievers outscored the Shenandoah Hornets (3-3) by 29 points in a 88-59 win. In that game, junior forward Joe Sherburne, sophomore forward Arkel Lamar and senior guard K.J. Maura all posted double digit points.
The Retrievers are doing well, and will hope they can continue the trend against the Hornets. They have not won on the road this season, and this game provides them with the perfect opportunity to flip the switch. The game against Delaware State is the third of four consecutive road games for the Retrievers before a home game against Coppin State on Tuesday Dec. 12.
