Keep in mind that Stevenson University is a Division III team going against the Division I Retrievers, but there are still plenty of positives to take away from this evening’s 91-54, season-opening win for UMBC at the RAC Arena.

The biggest reason to be excited may be the performance of freshman guard Chauncey Gilliam, who scored the first two points of the game for UMBC and then dropped 15 more for a total of 17 in his collegiate debut. Gilliam, out of Brewster Academy in Columbia, Md., got the starting call and delivered.

And while Jay Greene was initially shaky running the half court offense (turning the ball over on three straight possessions at one point in the first half), he rebounded well in the second half dishing out the ball and putting up points, too.

Darryl Proctor was…well, Darryl Proctor. Get used to DP being the most physical pressence on the floor every single game this season.

Perhaps most important: The Retrievers were able to get their entire bench into the game for substantial minutes. All in all, a nice way to start the 2008-09 season.

All photos by Manolo Anico Jr. :

In the first season after winning the AEC title, the men

Chauncey Gilliam scored 17 points in his collegiate debut.

Darryl Proctor scored 20 points in the win. Get used to it.