NCAAB · Final

UMBC Defeats Maine in Close Contest

Thursday, January 8, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena

UMBC Retrievers 69, Maine Black Bears 62, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Maine Black Bears vs UMBC Retrievers?

UMBC Retrievers beat Maine Black Bears 69-62 at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena on January 8, 2026.

Who was favored in Maine Black Bears vs UMBC Retrievers?

UMBC Retrievers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -395 (about 80% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested game, the UMBC Retrievers secured a victory over the Maine Black Bears with a final score of 69-62. This matchup was notable not only for its competitive nature but also for the contrasting fortunes of the two teams this season. UMBC, with a record of 8-6, has shown resilience, while Maine has struggled significantly with a record of 2-15.

The game took place at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, where UMBC has maintained a home record of 3-2 this season. In their last ten games, UMBC has managed a 5-5 record, with an average of 75.1 points scored and 72.3 points allowed. They entered the game on a one-game winning streak, having recently defeated Coppin State Eagles 93-59 on December 29, 2025. In contrast, Maine has faced difficulties on the road, achieving only one win in their last five away games and a total away record of 1-5 this season. Their recent form includes a 2-8 record over their last ten games, averaging 62.3 points scored and 70.0 points allowed.

Historically, this matchup has favored Maine, who had won both previous meetings in the 2025 season by scores of 87-62 and 73-50. However, UMBC's recent performance and home advantage played a crucial role in this encounter. The Retrievers were favored by the betting market, with DraftKings listing them at -7.5 on the spread and a moneyline of -395, while Maine was at +310.

The game conditions were competitive, and spectators were treated to a series of scoring plays that highlighted the intensity of the matchup. Key moments included a 24-foot three-point jumper by TJ Biel, which brought the score to 63-57 in favor of UMBC, and a dunk by Caden Diggs that pushed the lead to 65-57. Maine attempted to rally, with Caleb Crawford making a two-foot jumper to cut the deficit to 66-59, but UMBC maintained control, with Ace Valentine contributing crucial free throws down the stretch.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams have faced challenges throughout the season that may have impacted their performance. As the game progressed, viewers were able to observe the tactical adjustments made by both coaches, with UMBC focusing on defensive pressure and efficient scoring, while Maine sought to exploit any defensive lapses.

Overall, this game was a testament to UMBC's ability to capitalize on home advantage and their recent form, while Maine continues to seek answers to their struggles this season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	UMBC -7.5	133.5 o -110 / u -110	Maine Black Bears +310 · UMBC Retrievers -395

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsJah'Likai King15UMBC Retrievers
AssistsAce Valentine3UMBC Retrievers
ReboundsRiley Jacobs7UMBC Retrievers
PointsTJ Biel27Maine Black Bears
AssistsLogan Carey2Maine Black Bears
ReboundsTJ Biel10Maine Black Bears

Recent form

UMBC Retrievers

Last 10: 5-5Streak W175.1 scored · 72.3 allowed per game3-2 at home

W93-59at Coppin State EaglesDec 29
L69-94at South Florida BullsDec 21
L60-63vs Army Black KnightsDec 12
L79-83vs Buffalo BullsDec 9
W73-66at Bucknell BisonDec 6
L81-90at Georgetown HoyasDec 4
W71-57vs Delaware State HornetsNov 29
W102-52vs Notre Dame (MD) GatorsNov 24
L52-89at George Washington RevolutionariesNov 20
W71-70vs Wagner SeahawksNov 16

Maine Black Bears

Last 10: 2-8Streak L162.3 scored · 70 allowed per game1-5 away

L51-56vs Bryant BulldogsJan 3
W104-66vs Maine Fort Kent BengalsDec 30
L56-74at Drexel DragonsDec 21
L43-70vs Canisius Golden GriffinsDec 13
W69-59at Boston University TerriersDec 11
L61-93at Miami (OH) RedHawksDec 6
L57-79at Ohio BobcatsDec 4
L60-64vs Siena SaintsNov 30
L61-65at Longwood LancersNov 29
L61-74at American University EaglesNov 28

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
UMBC	24-9	-	14-2
Vermont	22-12	2	12-4
NJIT	16-17	4	10-6
UMass Lowell	15-18	5	9-7
UAlbany	11-21	7	7-9
Maine	8-24	8	6-10
New Hampshire	9-21	9	5-11
Bryant	9-22	9	5-11
Binghamton	8-23	10	4-12

Box score

Stat	Maine Black Bears	UMBC Retrievers
Field goals	26-59	24-56
Field goal %	44	43
Three-pointers	4-18	4-10
Three-point %	22	40
Free throws	6-11	17-23
Free throw %	55	74
Rebounds	32	38
Offensive rebounds	8	10
Defensive rebounds	24	28
Assists	6	7
Steals	4	2
Blocks	4	2
Turnovers	9	8
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	2	6
Fast-break points	4	5
Points in the paint	44	36
Fouls	14	8
Largest lead	5	14
Lead changes	5	5
Time in front	18	79

How the scoring went

2nd Half28-39DJ Armstrong Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half28-40DJ Armstrong Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half30-40TJ Biel makes 3-foot dunk (Logan Carey assists)
2nd Half30-43Caden Diggs makes 26-foot three point jumper (DJ Armstrong Jr. assists)
2nd Half32-43TJ Biel makes layup
2nd Half33-43TJ Biel makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half33-44Ace Valentine makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half33-45Ace Valentine makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half33-47Daylon Dickerson makes layup (Ace Valentine assists)
2nd Half35-47Yanis Bamba makes 7-foot jumper
2nd Half35-49Daylon Dickerson makes driving layup
2nd Half37-49Ace Flagg makes layup
2nd Half37-50Paul Greene makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half38-50Amare Allen makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half39-50Amare Allen makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half41-50Ryan Mabrey makes layup
2nd Half43-50Ryan Mabrey makes 8-foot jumper
2nd Half43-52Ace Valentine makes driving layup
2nd Half45-52Logan Carey makes layup
2nd Half46-52TJ Biel makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-53Riley Jacobs makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half46-54Riley Jacobs makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half48-54TJ Biel makes 9-foot jumper
2nd Half50-54TJ Biel makes layup
2nd Half50-55Jah'Likai King makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half50-56Jah'Likai King makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half50-57Ace Valentine makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half52-57TJ Biel makes 10-foot jumper
2nd Half52-59Caden Diggs makes layup
2nd Half54-59Ace Flagg makes layup
2nd Half54-61Caden Diggs makes layup
2nd Half54-63Riley Jacobs makes 1-foot dunk (Ace Valentine assists)
2nd Half57-63TJ Biel makes 24-foot three point jumper (Logan Carey assists)
2nd Half57-65Caden Diggs makes 3-foot dunk
2nd Half57-66Ace Valentine makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-66Caleb Crawford makes 2-foot jumper
2nd Half59-67Ace Valentine makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-68Ace Valentine makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half62-68Ryan Mabrey makes 23-foot three point jumper (Caleb Crawford assists)
2nd Half62-69Jah'Likai King makes free throw 2 of 2