Baltimore, Md. - Erin Brown recorded a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds to help UMBC hold off a rallying UAlbany squad, as the Retrievers defeated the Great Danes, 62-55, in America East Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday evening at RAC Arena.

            UMBC, which sealed up the first seed of the America East Conference Tournament with the win, came out firing to start the game, nailing five 3-pointers in the first half. After UAlbany jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the early going behind jumpers by Keyana Williams and Ebone Henry, Meghan Colabella drained back-to-back shots from beyond the arc to put UMBC ahead by two. The Retrievers would build up to an 11 point lead, 20-9, as Michelle Kurowski nailed one of her two treys in the half with 6:21 left to play.

UAlbany attempted to battle back from the double-digit deficit, pulling back to within 22-15 on a Julie Forster jumper with just under three minutes on the clock, but Michele Brokans dropped in one last 3-pointer for UMBC with 1:48 on the clock to put the Retrievers back up by 11, 27-16. A late UAlbany foul on a Brown 3-point attempt put the forward at the line, where she connected on all three free throws, sending the teams to the locker room with UMBC ahead, 30-16.

            UMBC (19-10, AE 13-3) held onto a large lead to start the second half, building up a 15-point advantage, 41-26, with 14:12 on the clock. However, UAlbany began to rally, going on a 9-3 run to pull within 44-35 after two free throws by Henry at 11:07. Henry, who earned America East Player of the Game honors for her efforts, attempted to spur the Great Danes into action, scoring 17 of her game-high 21 points in the second half. The sophomore guard, who hit a career-high 11 free throws, pulled UAlbany to within six, 51-45, on two makes from the charity stripe with just over two minutes left to go.

            UAlbany (15-13, AE 8-7) continued to fight, coming as close as 55-50 on a 3-pointer by Melia Basavand with just over one minute to play. UMBC, which went 22-of-29 from the free throw line in the game, capitalized on late fouling, as the Retrievers made 7-of-8 from the charity stripe in the last minute of action. The Great Danes got a late 3-pointer from Cassandra Callaway to get within five one last time, but could not connect again in the waning seconds as UMBC held on for the win.

            Henry played almost a complete game for the Great Danes, grabbing nine rebounds and recording two steals and one assist before fouling out in the final minute. Forster and Callaway both recorded nine points for UAlbany, while Forster was just one board away from a double-double with nine caroms. Colabella and Kurowski also finished with double-digit point totals for UMBC, with 17 and 10 points, respectively. UMBC, which shot 41.5 percent from the floor, also recorded nine blocks in the game, led by Kristin Coles with three.

            UAlbany will host its final regular-season game on Saturday against Maine at 2 p.m. The Great Danes will honor seniors Felicia Johnson, Kim Clements and Melia Basavand in a ceremony before tip-off.

UMBC 62, UAlbany 55 (2/23/11 at Baltimore, Md. (RAC Arena))

Albany 55

UMBC 62