University of Albany Men's Basketball Downs A-East Opponent Boston University, 76-64, on Senior Day at SEFCU Arena

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Freshman guard Josh Martin had 13 points off the bench to pace four players in double figures in leading UAlbany to a 76-64 America East Conference victory over Boston University in the regular-season finale for both teams on Sunday, March 2 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes finished in a tie for second place in the conference standings heading into next weekend’s postseason tournament.

Boston U. (13-16, AE 9-7) tied the contest at 48 apiece midway through the second half on John Holland’s turnaround from left of the lane. UAlbany (15-14, AE 10-6) responded with 12 of the game’s next 14 points to go ahead for good. Martin canned one of his three 3-point field goals from the left wing, before freshman center Al Turley scored on a spinning shot in the lane. Martin, who tied a career-high with six assists, added a three-pointer and a driving layup following an offensive rebound during the decisive run. Jon Iati gave his team a 60-50 advantage with a 16-foot jumper off a screen.

The Great Danes, who also won the first meeting of the season between these teams on Jan. 16, still led 62-54 with less then five minutes remaining, but ran off seven unanswered to seal the outcome. Brent Wilson, one of three seniors playing in his final home game, nailed a three-pointer from left of the key. Martin, who also grabbed five rebounds, fed Brett Gifford and added a pair of free throws for a 15-point cushion.

“We found a way to get it down with (Brian) Lillis on the bench,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose top scorer was plagued by foul trouble and played just 14 minutes. “Josh Martin had a great day, especially when you consider he had no turnovers. It’s no secret we have not played well at home; we’ve been like the (New York) Giants where we only play well on the road.”

The game featured seven lead changes and five ties through the opening thirty minutes. UAlbany wiped out a 16-11 deficit with 12 consecutive points. Turley, who scored a career-best 11 on 4-of-5 shooting, made a conventional three-point play when he was fouled on a high-low exchange from Wilson for a 23-16 lead. The Terriers, who had won eight of their last nine entering the contest, fought back to tie the contest at 30-all when Carlos Strong canned a 3-point shot from the top of the arc.

In the second half, UAlbany opened up a 42-37 cushion as Tim Ambrose converted a drive on the left baseline. The Terriers drew even when Holland buried a 3-pointer from the left corner off a skip pass and then tied the count again at 46 apiece on Corey Lowe’s long-range jumper. Lowe, the conference’s second-leading scorer, finished with 23 points and made four 3-pointers.

Strong was the only other BU player in double figures with 13 points, while Holland, a 6-foot-5 freshman, had nine points and six rebounds. Brian Connelly and Iati each had 10 points for the Great Danes, who have won four of their last five league games.

“We had two good wins at the end of the year,” said Iati, a fifth-year senior who was honored in pre-game ceremony. “With Lillis in foul trouble, the bench gave us a lift and played within the rotation. The young guys were trying to get a win for the seniors.”