In three conference games sophomore center Topé Obajolu has doubled her non-conference averages in points and rebounds. [Corey Johns- TRW]

After scoring just 21 points in the first half, four highly touted sophomores combined for 36 of the team’s 41 second half points as UMBC beat Albany 62-57 to even their overall record to 8-8 and improve their conference record to 2-1.

Neither team seemed to be able to take hold of the game in SEFCU arena in Albany, New York. There were eight lead changes between the Retrievers and Great Danes with neither team leading by more than seven points.

After a poor first half for UMBC where they totaled just 21 points and shot 29.6% from the field, the second half was a completely different story. After going into the half down 26-21, the Retrievers scored 41 second half points, ten more than Albany did.

The quartet of sophomores for UMBC totaled 36 of those points. Katie Brooks scored 14 of her team high 16 points after the break. Topé Obajolu scored 10 of her 15, Erin Brown scored seven of her 12 points, and Michelle Kurowski scored five of her eight points in the second half.

After averaging just over five points and three rebounds per game before conference play began, Obajolu had averaged 11 points and six rebounds in the three conference games so far. With lone exception of Hartford, the America East is built around solid guard play and Obajolu’s emergence into a consistent threat for UMBC could prove to be a key factor of success for UMBC down the stretch. She is the most athletic player on the team but is very inexperienced. While she did play in 27 games as a freshman and made four starts, she was used mostly for her defensive ability. If she can stay consistent on offense, UMBC can be a serious contender in the conference with a bevy of high scoring guards on the outside and Obajolu and Meghan Colebella on the inside.

That duo inside did not let the Albany offense get going in the game. Albany has been successful when they have gotten the to the rim, but the defensive presence of Obajolu and Colabella forced Albany to take 24 three-pointers, which did not go well for them as they made just 20.8% of their attempts. Albany shot just 35.7% from the floor and only managed to score 22 points in the paint.

After two straight road wins the team is going to return home for three straight road games as they will face New Hampshire, Binghamton, and Vermont in a span of six days.