Box Score (PDF)

CATONSVILLE, MD. – Thanks to 18 free throws made in two overtime periods, UMBC downed The Citadel men's basketball team 120-111 on Monday evening.
 
Freshman Frankie Johnson opened the game with a three-pointer for the Bulldogs (7-6) and then followed with another one two minutes later to make it 6-5. Fellow freshman Preston Parks picked up right where he left off on Saturday, nailing his first three-pointer at the 15:25 mark and then hit his second with 11 minutes remaining to give the 'Dogs a 23-19 lead. The Citadel had six threes eight minutes into the game.
 
Following the early three-point shooting the Bulldogs fell cold, going on a three-minute scoring drought before responding with two straight buckets to cut into UMBC's (8-3) 31-30 lead with a little over five minutes remaining.
 
The Retrievers made a late push before halftime, making five of their last seven field goal attempts to take a 44-38 lead into the break. The Citadel did not make a field goal in the last 3:14 of the first half.
 
UMBC pushed its lead to 10 in the opening minutes of the second half but a fast break layup by Brian White at the 12:45 mark sparked a 9-3 run for the Bulldogs over the next two minutes. The run started with a three-pointer by Quayson Williams after the under-12 media timeout and then the 'Dogs forced back-to-back turnovers that led to easy layups to make it a one-point game. Head coach Duggar Baucom's squad forced eight turnovers in the first 10 minutes of the second frame and five in a two-minute span that allowed them to claw back into the game.
 
With 7:20 remaining, Williams hit a three-pointer to close the gap to two points but the Retrievers responded with an 8-2 run from 6:17 to 4:45 to extend their lead to 83-75. Parks' fifth three of the game ended the run for UMBC and made it 83-78. Zane Najdawi then converted a three-point play to pull the Bulldogs within four.
 
White pulled The Citadel within one after making back-to-back layups with less than two minutes to go but UMBC made two free throws to push its lead back to three. Sledge then drilled a three with 1:25 remaining in regulation to tie the game at 91-91.
 
With 20 seconds remaining, UMCB missed a three-pointer and Najdawi brought down the rebound, allowing the Bulldogs to hold for the last shot. The 'Dogs set up their play and with one second remaining Johnson fired a three-pointer that just missed, sending the game to overtime.
 
UMBC opened the first overtime period with a three-pointer but White followed with a free throw to make it 94-93 in favor of the Retrievers. UMBC made a jumper and then a free throw with 24 seconds remaining to take a three-point lead. Williams responded for The Citadel seconds later by draining a three, tying the game at 100-100. The Retrievers were able to get off a couple of shots following the three-pointer but all of them missed and the game moved to a second overtime period.
 
In the second overtime The Citadel fell down early and, unable to get any shots to fall, were forced to foul. Four 'Dogs fouled out in the period as UMBC went to the line 16 times compared to The Citadel's three attempts.
 
Seven Bulldogs finished in double figures as Parks led the squad with 24 points. Najdawi posted his fifth double-double of the year, going for 10 points and 10 rebounds, while White chipped in 21. The Citadel tied a season best with 19 threes in the game and forced the Retrievers to turn the ball over 22 times.
 
The Bulldogs now take a break for the holiday before returning to action on Dec. 28 against UNCG. The SoCon opener will tip off at 7 p.m. inside McAlister Field House and be broadcast on ESPN3 with live stats available at CitadelSports.com.
 
For more information on The Citadel basketball, follow @CitadelHoops or visit CitadelSports.com.