New Hampshire Uses Late Runs in Each Half to Edge Women's Basketball, 66-62, on Senior Day

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Candace Williams posted 22 points, including nine in the last nine minutes, to lead New Hampshire over UAlbany by a score of 66-62 in America East Conference women’s basketball action at SEFCU Arena on Saturday, Feb. 28. Trailing by 14, the Wildcats scored 11 consecutive points to close out the first half and reversed a nine-point deficit midway through the second stanza to pull away from the Great Danes at the end.

UAlbany (4-23, 2-12 AE), which honored seniors Amira Ford and Tiffanie Johnson prior to the contest, had a 52-43 advantage with 10:18 remaining in the game before New Hampshire rattled off 12 consecutive points to go ahead by three. A three-point field goal by Chrissy Hall at the 6:51 mark gave the Wildcats a 53-52 lead.

On the Great Danes’ next possession, Janea Aiken had a chance to put her team back on top at the free throw line. Her shot rimmed out, and Williams came back the other way and converted a layup to put UNH ahead by three.

UAlbany brought the lead down to two points on four more occasions. However, two field goals and two free throws by Williams and a layup by Rachel Fowler kept the Wildcats ahead. A three-point field goal by Charity Iromuanya with five seconds remaining sealed the four-point decision.

“We came out flat in the second half,” said co-captain Britney McGee after the Great Danes fell to 0-8 in games decided by five points or less and 3-10 when leading or tied at halftime. “They came out ready to play, and we were not ready for the run that they made. I think we can get down on ourselves too much. We just have to start believing in ourselves and give that extra effort that’s needed (down the stretch).”

Led by Kate Early, New Hampshire (8-20, 6-8 AE) scored eight of the first 10 points to open the game. However, the Great Danes clawed back and took their first lead, 12-10, on one of McGee’s four shots from behind the arc. After Williams hit a jumper to knot the score at 12, UAlbany recorded seven consecutive points to take a 19-12 advantage.

The Great Danes scored nine consecutive points to make it 32-18 with 4:23 left in the half, forcing the Wildcats to call a timeout. McGee and Johnson each made shots from behind the arc, while Aiken converted a conventional three-point play during the stretch. However, New Hampshire responded with 11 straight points to close out the half and trailed just 32-29.

The Wildcats picked up where they left off to start the second half, scoring six straight points to cap a 17-0 run dating back to the first frame. Sparked by a three by McGee, UAlbany battled back by scoring the next eight points to take a 40-35 advantage. A long jumper by McGee put the Great Danes up by double figures before a layup by Aiken made it 52-43 with 10:18 on the clock. However, UNH scored the next 12 points and never trailed the rest of the way.

McGee led the way for the Great Danes with 16 points and five rebounds, while Johnson added 15 points and a team-best seven rebounds in her final game at SEFCU Arena. Aiken finished with 12 points and five assists.

In addition to scoring a game-high 22 points, Williams grabbed eight rebounds to pace the Wildcats. Amy Simpson contributed 17 points, and Early added five points, nine rebounds and three steals.

“I would have liked for our seniors to go out with a win,” said head coach Trina Patterson, whose team will visit Stony Brook on Wednesday, Feb. 4. “We outrebounded them and shot the ball better than they did, but we had too many turnovers. It was one of those evenly played games where the small things mattered, and the small things were turning the ball over. That was the difference in the game.”

UAlbany outshot New Hampshire from the field, 42.3 percent (22-52) to 41.8 percent (23-55) and 31.6 percent (6-19) to 30.8 percent (4-13) from behind the arc. UNH held the advantage at the free throw line, 76.2 percent (16-21) to 63.2 percent (12-19).