The Retrievers entered the game in a position they had never been in before: A win would lock up the regular-season America East title and give them the top seed in the conference tournament. While much of the country would spend the night focused on No. 1 Memphis vs. No. 2 Tennessee, there wasn't a bigger game in Maryland than UMBC-New Hampshire, and the stands were filled to the brim. (The announced crowd of 3,712 was, in fact, the largest in school history.)
With just 1:37 on the clock and the score tied at 54, UMBC made a three-pointer that gave the Retrievers the lead. New Hampshire tied it in the final minute, though, and my fifth and final game of the day refused to end.
In overtime, point guard Jay Greene hit two more threes, giving the Retrievers an insurmountable lead. UMBC won the game, 71-68, and also the America East title. As exciting as the post-game celebration was, I was looking for the exit. It had been a long day.
