UMBC edges Coastal Carolina, 80-75

CONWAY, S.C. -- UMBC made five of seven free throws in the final 2:49 and Alhamisi Simms added a clutch jumper, as the Retrievers rallied for a 80-75 win yesterday over Coastal Carolina a Big South Conference game.

Tony Thompson led all scorers with 24 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and Retrievers teammate Rob Lucien added 18 points. Michael Van Veen came off the bench to contribute 11 points and eight rebounds for UMBC (5-21, 3-11). Ben Avery led Coastal Carolina (5-20, 1-13) with 18 points.

The Chanticleers led until Van Veen's three-point basket put UMBC ahead 64-62 with 6:36 remaining. Coastal Carolina then rolled off eight straight points to regain a 73-69 lead with 3:40 left. The Retrievers responded with an 11-2 run to close out the victory.

UMBC is seeded seventh in the conference tournament that begins Thursday in Lynchburg, Va.