CATONSVILLE, Md. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dramatic momentum shift and a frantic final sequence, the Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers erased a 14-point second-half deficit to edge the New Hampshire Wildcats 75-74 in an America East Conference men’s basketball thriller Saturday afternoon at Retriever Activities Center.

The victory improved UMBC’s record to 9-6 overall, while New Hampshire fell to 4-12.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably the Retrievers’ staggering second-half transformation. After trailing 39-30 at halftime and watching the Wildcats extend their lead to 49-35 early in the second period, UMBC unleashed a 25-6 run over a seven-minute span to seize control. The surge was fueled by a combination of stifling defense and efficient transition offense. The Retrievers scored 14 fastbreak points and 14 points off turnovers for the game, capitalizing on New Hampshire’s eight giveaways while committing only three themselves.

New Hampshire had dominated the first half behind the interior presence of Belal El Shakery. The 6-foot-8 forward from Alexandria, Egypt, recorded a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds, powering the Wildcats to a 46-38 advantage in points in the paint. John Squire of Sausalito, California, added 13 points, as New Hampshire shot 52.5 percent from the floor in the opening period and led by as many as 12.

The game turned decisively when UMBC intensified its defensive pressure. The Wildcats, who managed only two assists as a team, saw their offensive flow disintegrate. Meanwhile, the Retrievers found their rhythm. DJ Armstrong of Orlando, Florida, scored 17 points, including several key baskets during the comeback. Ace Valentine of Columbia, Maryland, facilitated the offense with 12 points and four assists, and Jah’Likai King of Newburgh, New York, contributed 15 points.

UMBC’s comeback was also built at the free-throw line, where they made 13 of 16 attempts compared to New Hampshire’s 5-of-11 shooting. The Retrievers also won the battle from beyond the arc, hitting 8 of 19 three-point attempts against the Wildcats’ 7 of 19.

Despite the prolonged UMBC run, New Hampshire refused to fold. Trailing 73-68 with under a minute to play, the Wildcats mounted a final push. KiJan Robinson of Apopka, Florida, who finished with 11 points, converted a layup with 1:19 remaining. After a UMBC miss, El Shakery scored inside to cut the deficit to 73-72 with just seven seconds on the clock.

The Retrievers’ Caden Diggs of Waldorf, Maryland, was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play and calmly sank both free throws with 6.7 seconds left to extend the lead to 75-72. New Hampshire called a timeout to advance the ball, but on the inbound pass, UMBC’s DJ Armstrong was fouled with 3.6 seconds remaining. Armstrong missed the first free throw but made the second, leaving the door slightly ajar at 75-73.

Without a timeout, New Hampshire’s Davide Poser launched a length-of-the-court pass to Tyler Bike of Merrimack, New Hampshire. Bike was fouled by Armstrong on a desperate three-point attempt as time expired. With no time on the clock and the outcome resting on his composure, Bike made the first free throw to cut the final margin to one point. He intentionally missed the second attempt, and a scramble for the rebound ended the game, securing the heart-stopping victory for the Retrievers before an announced crowd of 1,350.

El Shakery’s 18-point, 13-rebound performance marked a significant rebound for the sophomore after being limited to 10 minutes and four points in his previous outing. The win defied the pregame statistical projections, which heavily favored UMBC, and also went under the betting over/under total of 144.5 points.

UMBC looks to build on the comeback win when they travel to face Bryant on Thursday. New Hampshire, now mired in a three-game losing streak, will attempt to regroup before visiting Maine on Jan. 19. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch in Durham, New Hampshire, on Feb. 14.