UMBC faces a team- Norfolk State- that is coming off a landmark season. The Spartans posted a 26-10 record a year ago and defeated Missouri in the second round of the NCAA Championship. It is the first-ever meeting between the Retrievers and Spartans.

RETRIEVER UPDATE: UMBC (2-7) rallied late to tie American at the end of regulation in the first overtime period, but fell, 73-70, to the Eagles in double overtime on Dec. 6. SR G Ryan Cook led all scorers with 24 points. It was UMBC’s second home overtime loss  of the season- the Retrievers have led five of nine games with ten minutes remaining. Cook leads the squad and is second in America East with 17.4 ppg.

SPARTAN UPDATE: Norfolk State lost four of five starters from last season’s NCAA Championship team, but the Spartans have won three straight to even their record at 5-5. They won a pair of MEAC decisions, 55-45 at Savannah State and 78-72 at South Carolina State on Dec. 1 and 3. JR G Pendarvis Williams, the lone returning starter from last year’s squad, leads a balanced attack wtih 11.3 ppg. Today’s game will just be the second at home for the Spartans.

WHO’S UP NEXT:  UMBC plays its final game before exams start when they host another MEAC institution, Coppin State, on Wed., Dec. 12. Tip time at the RAC Arena is set for 7:00 p.m.