Keith Gabriel scored 30 points as Virginia Military Institute held off Maryland-Baltimore County 94-77 on Sunday to open the season with two wins for the first time since 2004-05.
Gabriel, who was 5 for 10 from 3-point range, scored 13 points in the last 7:05 for the Keydets (2-0). Stan Okoye added 21 points and 14 rebounds and Nick Gore chipped in 14 points.
The first half stayed close, with seven ties and the Keydets leading 38-35 at halftime. After shooting just 36.1 percent in the first half (13 of 36), VMI improved to 63.3 percent in the second (19 of 30).
With UMBC (0-1) ahead 45-43 with 15:54 to go, the Keydets pulled away with a 17-6 run.
The Retrievers got within six points, at 64-58 with 7:50 left, but could get no closer.
Laurence Jolicoeur led UMBC with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Justin Fry also had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
