Lyles scores 29 points, UMBC downs Kennesaw State 93-85
BALTIMORE (AP) Jarius Lyles scored 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting and sparked a late run that helped UMBC rally to beat Kennesaw State 93-85 on Saturday.
Joe Sherburne scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Arkel Lamar scored 15 off the bench, and K.J. Maura added 12 points for UMBC (4-0).
Trailing 38-36 at halftime, the Retrievers took the lead 54-52 on a 3 by Lyles early in the second half but the Owls stayed close.
Kennesaw State (1-3) pulled to within 76-75 on Kendrick Ray's layup and 3-pointer with 5:24 left when Lyles made a layup and two free throws amid an 8-0 run and UMBC pulled away 86-77 for its largest lead of the game. Lyles made another layup and UMBC made 10 of 13 free throws down the stretch.
Ray tied his career best with 31 points on 11-of-22 shooting and Aubrey Williams scored 14 and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Owls (1-3).