UMBC Holds Off Vermont for First America East Championship Since 2018 UMBC’s men’s basketball team secured its first America East Championship since 2018 with a decisive 74-59 victory over Vermont. The Retrievers, led by standout performer D.J. Armstrong Jr., overcame a resilient Vermont squad to claim the title in a tightly contested game. The win marked a significant milestone for UMBC, which had not won the conference tournament since its historic upset of a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament in 2018. The game was a battle of wills, with Vermont initially holding a lead but ultimately faltering under UMBC’s relentless pressure. Armstrong, who finished with 33 points and 17 rebounds, was instrumental in the Retrievers’ late-game surge. His clutch shooting, including a pivotal four-point play after a three-pointer while being fouled, shifted the momentum in UMBC’s favor. The crowd at the Kai Arena, which saw a record crowd of over 4,700, erupted as the Retrievers closed the game on a 13-3 run. Vermont, a five-time tournament champion, struggled to find its rhythm, particularly from beyond the arc. The Catamounts shot just 5-27 from three-point range and 4-10 from the free throw line, failing to capitalize on key opportunities. Vermont’s leading scorer, T.J. Hurley, was held in check with 11 points, shooting 1-8 from three-point range. UMBC, in contrast, thrived from long range, hitting 10 three-pointers and converting 22-26 free throws. The victory solidified UMBC’s position as the top team in the America East during the regular season. The Retrievers are now set to make their third NCAA tournament appearance, with hopes of securing a higher seed than in 2018. Their historic 2018 upset of a No.#america_east #umbc #dj_armstrong_jr #vermont #kai_arena
UMBC Secures America East Title, Earns NCAA Tournament Bid DJ Armstrong Jr. poured in 33 points, including seven 3-pointers, to lead the Retrievers to a 74-59 victory over Vermont in the America East championship game. The win secured UMBC’s first NCAA tournament berth since 2018 and marked their third appearance in the postseason. The Retrievers, ranked No. 1 in the tournament, will compete for the first time since their historic upset of No. 1 seed Virginia in 2018. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projected UMBC as a No. 16 seed in his latest bracket, giving the team another chance to face a top-tier opponent. Armstrong’s performance was pivotal, as he hit three 3-pointers, including a four-point play, to give UMBC a 64-56 lead with under two minutes remaining. The Retrievers closed the game by making 10 of 10 free throws, with Armstrong and Josh Odunowo combining for the final 10 points. Armstrong shot 9 of 11 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line, while Ace Valentine added 13 points and made all seven of his free throws. UMBC’s 22-of-26 free-throw accuracy contrasted with Vermont’s 4-of-10 performance. TJ Long led Vermont with 17 points, but the Catamounts struggled from the line, limiting their ability to close the gap. Long’s 3-pointer early in the second half gave Vermont a 17-12 lead, but Armstrong’s three-point play sparked a 12-2 run to give UMBC a 30-28 halftime advantage. Vermont managed a 51-48 lead in the second half but couldn’t sustain the momentum. UMBC’s dominance at home this season, with a 15-2 record, and their undefeated home slate against America East opponents underscored their strength. The victory not only secured the America East title but also positioned UMBC for a potential NCAA run, with Armstrong’s heroics setting the stage for a historic chapter in the program’s history.#ncaa_tournament #joe_lunardi #america_east #umbc #dj_armstrong_jr
Howard University Men’s Basketball Advances to NCAA Tournament First Four Howard University’s men’s basketball team has been matched against No. 16 seed UMBC in the NCAA Tournament’s First Four, as revealed during the Selection Sunday show on CBS. The game, set for March 17 at 6:40 p.m. ET, will air on truTV and marks the first time the two teams will meet in the tournament. This will be their fourth overall matchup, with UMBC securing a 95-77 victory in a previous contest on November 25, 2024. UMBC, the America East Regular Season and Tournament champions, earned its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2018 through its conference automatic bid. The Retrievers advanced to the conference tournament final by defeating Vermont, 74-59, and three players—Jah’Likai King (First Team All-Conference), DJ Armstrong Jr. (Second Team), and Ace Valentine (Second Team)—were honored for their contributions. Caden Diggs was named Sixth Man of the Year, and head coach Jim Ferry received Coach of the Year recognition. Howard’s path to the tournament included a decisive 70-63 win over No. 3 North Carolina Central in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament final, held in Norfolk, Virginia. This victory marked the program’s sixth conference tournament title in history and its fifth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Bison are led by MEAC Player of the Year Bryce Harris, a graduate student guard from Brentwood, New York, and Defensive Player of the Year Cedric Taylor III, a senior from Atlanta. Head coach Kenneth Blakeney, entering his seventh season at Howard, has guided the team to its most successful campaign in recent years. The Bison’s success in the MEAC and their NCAA Tournament berth highlight the program’s growing competitiveness in collegiate basketball.#howard_university #umbc #jahlkai_king #dj_armstrong_jr #ace_valentine
