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UMBC rewrites the record books with NCAA victory over #1 UVA

Published: Mar 17, 2018

(Four people with UMBC shirts on pose for picture)

With tonight’s 74-54 win over the University of Virginia’s (UVA) Cavaliers, UMBC has made basketball history as the first No. 16 seed team to best a No. 1 seed in an NCAA men’s tournament. The victory sends the team into the second round of play versus Kansas State, on Sunday, March 18.

In the first half, the Retrievers stayed consistently within striking distance of the Cavaliers, pushing to a tie at halftime. They came back fresh, with an impressive run of confident three-pointers that took them all the way home.

“UMBC is the talk of the nation right now…what they’re doing to UVA,” noted a commentator with seven minutes left on the clock.

As the final buzzer rang in the news, the crowd went wild. #RetrieverNation fans took to social media to share their delight about this true Cinderella story.

“I love seeing them smile…they’re good kids, I’m so proud of them,” said head coach Ryan Odom, who said they’ll “prepare for the next one, just like we did for this one.”

Going into the game, star guard Jairus Lyles ‘17, sociology, M.A. ‘18, education, told a Virginia NBC affiliate: “We’re definitely a confident group. We know we have to play a tough team, a very tough team especially defensively…we’re still confident that we’re going to go out there and have fun and try to win the game.

We’d like to send a huge Retriever congratulations to our UMBC men’s basketball team for playing their hearts out this season, and for giving us all something wonderful to believe in.

To the entire #RetrieverNation community — thanks for being Retriever Believers! Your passion for UMBC shines through in so many ways. We’ve chronicled some of our favorite social media highlights from this historic run to the NCAAs here. Enjoy, and stay tuned for more about Round 2!

Game photos by Ian Feldmann, the Retriever Weekly

March Madness: U.M.B.C. Makes NCAA History by Beating No. 1 Virginia — New York Times

Virginia becomes first No. 1 seed to lose in the first round of the NCAA tournament in an upset by UMBC — Washington Post

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U Must Be Cinderella
University of Millions of Brackets Crushed

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By now, the image of star guard Jairus Lyles’s incredible game-winning three-pointer at the America East championships is etched upon many of our brains. But, here’s one more for good measure. Swoosh!

🎯 Dagger. #retrievernation #AEChamps #Grit #iceintheveins❄️💪

A post shared by UMBC Sports Marketing (@retrieverbeliever) on


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A very UMBC welcome…

We’ve got our music ready for the big dance! #retrievernation #marchmadness #ncaa

A post shared by UMBC (@umbclife) on

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Why yes, yes they are!

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Our alums are the best! Look at all that black and gold at the watching party in Charlotte!

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“They’re not only good, they’re smart.” – NCAA Commentator

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Hitting the road to NC, our Retriever pride travels well!


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“UMBC is the talk of the nation right now…what they’re doing to UVA.” – NCAA Commentator

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Men’s Lacrosse gave us some ruff and rowdy encouragement before the UVA game. Thanks, guys!

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Freeman knows his numbers…

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U.S. Surgeon General and UMBC alumnus Jerome M. Adams ’97, M4, biochemistry and molecular biology, knows what’s up…

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Looks like guard K.J. Maura ’18, sociology, has a serious cheering section.

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We got some love from Greg Gumbel of CBS!

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All the dawgs have been coming out to support the team…


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Governor Larry Hogan put his money where his mouth is with this fantastic bracket…


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