Ace Valentine Leads UMBC Past Albany in Nail-Biting 68-65 Victory

College Sports · By Marcus Chen · February 1, 2026
Ace Valentine Leads UMBC Past Albany in Nail-Biting 68-65 Victory

Ace Valentine delivered a standout performance, scoring 15 points to guide the UMBC Retrievers to a narrow 68-65 win over Albany on Saturday. The tightly contested matchup saw UMBC fend off a persistent Albany squad, securing an important conference victory.

Valentine emerged as the key contributor for the Retrievers, leading the team in scoring and making several crucial plays down the stretch that helped UMBC maintain its edge. The game remained close throughout, with both teams battling for control and exchanging leads in a tense second half.

  • Valentine led UMBC with 15 points
  • The Retrievers outlasted Albany in a game decided by just three points
  • UMBC improved its standing in the conference with the win

With Valentine’s offensive spark, UMBC capitalized on key opportunities and managed to hold off Albany’s late push. The victory showcased the Retrievers' resilience in high-pressure moments, as they executed on both ends of the floor to preserve the slim margin as the final buzzer sounded.

This win marks a significant result for UMBC as it continues its push through the conference schedule, with Valentine’s performance underscoring his impact as a leader on the court. The Retrievers will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for the challenges ahead in their quest for a strong postseason position.

Sources

  1. [1]ESPN College Sports