CATONSVILLE, Md. - UMES and UMBC played a close game with 12 lead changes and seven tie scores, but despite Chelsea Sanders tying a career high in points with 22 and the Lady Hawks nearly coming back from down nine late, UMES fell to the Retrievers 65-60 on the road on Tuesday night.  The Lady Hawks fall to 2-4 while UMBC goes to 4-4.

Down 8-2, UMES went on a 7-0 run to take its first lead, led by an Amber Cook three plus baskets from Sanders and Adobi Agbasi to go up 9-8.

UMBC rebuilt their lead to four, led by two Brittany Crowell threes for a 16-12 lead.  The Lady Hawks responded with a Sha-Kiyla Finney three and Porsha Barr to take back the lead 17-16.

After the Retrievers retook the lead, Sanders went on a personal 4-0 run off a pair of free throws and a layup to give the Lady Hawks a three point advantage 21-18.

UMES kept pace and held the lead going into halftime with a late Agbasi layup giving the visitors a 31-28 edge.

The Retrievers started the second half with a 7-2 run for a 35-33 lead.  UMES quickly took it back, combining a Cook three and two free throws from Karona Roach to rebuild a three point lead.

Each side continued to trade the lead and tie the score: at the 7:27 mark, a layup from Agbasi tied the game at 49.

UMBC senior guard Erin Brown took control, scoring seven straight points during a 9-0 run for a Retrievers 61-52.  The score stood at 63-54 UMBC with 2:22 left.

Sanders hit a pair of free throws after a foul.  On the next possession, Kwinnyata Mercer stole the ball and fed Sanders for a two to get UMES within five 63-58.  The Lady Hawks defense held again, with Shawnee Sweeney hitting two free throws to put UMES to within one possession.  UMES had a chance to get the last shot after another Mercer steal, but fell short in the end.

Sanders shot 7-11 for her 22 points, adding a pair of steals and rebounds.  Mercer, Cook and Agbasi all had eight points and at least five rebounds, with Cook getting four assists and Mercer earning four steals.

For UMBC, Brown scored 24 points with seven boards and three steals.  Michelle Kurowski finished with 16 points and five rebounds.

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