University of Albany's McCarty & Richards Among 10 UAlbany Players on All-Northeast Conference Football Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Somerset, N.J. - University at Albany's David McCarty and Kevin Richards lead a group of ten players who have been chosen to the 2009 All-Northeast Conference Football Team, as announced on Monday, Nov. 30 by the conference office. The Great Danes, who had six players on the first team, finished with a 7-4 record and placed second in the league standings.

McCarty, a senior tailback, and Richards, a senior center, each made his third appearance on the All-NEC squad. McCarty, a second-team selection who ran for nine touchdowns, was plagued by injuries throughout the season, but still ranked 26th nationally among the NCAA Division I FCS rushing leaders at 84.9 yards per game. He ended his career as the program's all-time leader in rushing yards (4,287), all-purpose running yards (4,976) and 100-yard rushing games (24). Richards moved up to the all-conference first team after being voted to the second team the last two seasons. Richards, who appeared in 40 career games, blocked for an offensive unit that was balanced in rushing (159.6 ypg) and passing (181.7 ypg).

Inside linebacker Justin Brancaccio, free safety Dave Casale and wide receiver Tim Bush each made his second consecutive appearance on the All-NEC first team. Brancaccio led the UAlbany in tackles with 94, including 38 unassisted, and spearheaded a defense that was 26th among the FCS national leaders in points allowed (19.4 ppg) and 27th in rushing defense (118.3 ypg). The senior is eighth on the school's career tackles chart with 261.

Bush became the first Great Dane to catch 60 or more passes in back-to-back seasons. He had 63 catches for 861 yards and three touchdowns. He shattered the program's career standard with 147 receptions and is third all-time with 1,880 receiving yards. Casale accounted for 77 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and six pass break-ups. He completed his collegiate career tied for sixth in interceptions (11) and 18th in tackles (224) among UAlbany's all-time leaders.

Dave Nicomini, a senior outside linebacker, earned first-team All-NEC recognition for the second time. He missed all of the 2008 season after suffering a major knee injury the previous spring. After receiving a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA due to medical hardship, Nicomini returned to his all-league form from two years ago with 73 tackles and six pass break-ups. He led the Great Danes in tackles for a loss (12.0) and sacks (4.0). Nicomini is 12th among the program's career tackles leaders with 242.

Senior tailback Justin Gannon is on the all-league second team for the second year in a row as a return specialist. He led the team in all-purpose yards at 100.9 per game and is 12th nationally in punt returns with a 12.8 average. Gannon was second on the team in rushing with 471 yards and scored five touchdowns. He is sixth in career all-purpose yards at the school with 2,859.

Trevor Anderson, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound junior, defensive end Tony Sparano and placekicker Herb Glass each receives all-conference honors for the first time. Anderson, a first-team defensive tackle, totaled 36 tackles with 5.5 hits for a loss, 3.0 sacks and two pass deflections. He has 101 tackles and 8.5 sacks entering his senior campaign. Sparano, a second-team selection, had 33 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. Glass was named to the second team after leading UAlbany in scoring with 61 points. He made 12-of-18 field goals and 25-of-27 point-after attempts. His field goal total matched the third-best single-season mark in school history.

Paw Prints: UAlbany had 10 or more all-conference selections for the third straight season ... the Great Danes have had 10-plus all-league players in six of their 11 years as a Northeast Conference member ... TB David McCarty and C Kevin Richards are among a group of 12 Great Danes to have earned All-NEC honors three or more times in a career ... ILB Colin Disch, OT Geir Gudmundsen and FS Samson Brown, who coaches the tight ends as a member of Bob Ford's current staff, are the only four-time all-conference selections.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

2009 - 2010 UAlbany Athletics: Year In Review

UAlbany Volleyball - Sourbeer and Livergood Named to America East Volleyball All-Academic Team

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Rebounds in 78-60 Victory Against Pennsylvania at the Historic Palestra

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Ranked #15 In LaxNews.com Writers Preseason Top 25 Poll

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Brian Caufield on Preseason All-America Lacrosse Team;
UAlbany Ranked #20 in IL Poll

UAlbany Men's Indoor Track & Field - Selected First, Women Second in A-East Preseason Polls

UAlbany FCS Football - McCarty & Richards Among 10 UAlbany Players on All-Northeast Conference Football Team

UAlbany Women's Basketball - Comes Alive in Second Half to Defeat Cornell, 80-55, at SEFCU Arena

UAlbany Volleyball - Closes Out 2009 Season With 3-0 Win Over American at University Gym

UAlbany Field Hockey - Jess Lindsey and Sarah Deane Named to America East All-Academic Field Hockey Team

UAlbany FCS Football - QB Vinny Esposito Chosen Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Week

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Blake Metcalf Named America East Conference Rookie of the Week

UAlbany Women's Basketball - Wins Home Opener, 70-49, Over St. Francis

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Will Harris Nets 22 in Basketball's 2K Sports Classic Win Against NEC Champion Robert Morris

UAlbany FCS Football - QB Vinny Esposito Accounts for Four TDs in Football's 41-28 NEC Victory Against Wagner

UAlbany Cross Country - Teams Post Highest Finishes Ever at IC4A and ECAC Championships

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Derrek Tartt Provides Spark in Basketball's 71-55 Victory on First Day of 2K Sports Classic

UAlbany Volleyball - Advances to America East Volleyball Championship Match With 3-0 Win Over UMBC in Semifinals

UAlbany Volleyball - Setter Brooke Stanley Sweeps Both the 2009 Player of the Year and Setter of the Year Awards

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Inside Lacrosse Laxies Presented by Lax World: Brett Queener Is IL’s Personality of the Year Winner

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Edges Defending Patriot League Champion American

UAlbany Volleyball - Completes Second Straight Undefeated Conference Season With Sweep of Hartford

UAlbany Field Hockey - Finishes Season 18th on Kookaburra/NFHCA Coaches' Poll

UAlbany Soccer - Bo Jelovac Earns America East Men's Soccer All-Academic Team Honors

UAlbany Volleyball - Remains Undefeated in America East Play, Sweeping Stony Brook,

UAlbany Field Hockey - Moves On To America East Championship Game With Win Over UNH

UAlbany Field Hockey - Clephane, Savage, Luke, Brown & Hoffman Named To All America East Team

UAlbany Field Hockey - Sykes Named America East Coach of the Year

UAlbany Field Hockey - Clephane Named America East Defensive Player of the Year

UAlbany FCS Football - Sparano, Simpson & Woods Chosen to ESPN The Magazine District I All-Academic Football Team

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Monroe & Coaches Named America East Coaching Staff of the Year

UAlbany Women's Soccer - C. DeVerna, M. DeVerna, Lee, Marks & Tirabassi Named To All America East Team

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Cate Crenson Garners America East Women's Soccer All-Academic Team Laurels

UAlbany Field Hockey - #18 F.H. Clinches Top Seed in A-East Tournament With 2-0 Win Over Boston University

UAlbany Field Hockey - Nicole Savage Chosen to Play in NFHCA Division I Senior All-Star Game

UAlbany Field Hockey - #18 UAlbany Dominates Siena, 4-0, in Non-Conference Field Hockey Action

UAlbany Volleyball - Sweeps Siena College Remaining Undefeated In All Time Series

UAlbany Field Hockey - Ranked #18 In Latest NFHCA Poll

UAlbany Volleyball - Teresa Coppiellie & Brooke Stanley Earn America East Conference Weekly Awards

UAlbany Volleyball - Sweeps New Hampshire at "Dig Pink" Event at University Gymnasium

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Earns First-Ever Appearance in America East Championship

UAlbany Field Hockey - icole Savage Named America East Player of the Week

UAlbany Volleyball - White & Stanley Take Home America East Weekly Honors

UAlbany Volleyball - Sweeps Binghamton, 3-0, in America East Rematch

UAlbany Field Hockey - #18 F.H. Clinches Top Seed in A-East Tournament With 2-0 Win Over Boston University

UAlbany FCS Football - Rolls Past Monmouth In NEC Matchup

UAlbany Volleyball - Confirms Top Dog Position With Win over Binghamton

UAlbany Field Hockey - Nicole Savage Chosen to Play in NFHCA Division I Senior All-Star Game

UAlbany Cross Country - Alex Leuchanka Named America East Men's Cross Country Performer of the Week

UAlbany FCS Football - Quarterback Vinny Esposito Named Northeast Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week

UAlbany Volleyball - Brooke Stanley Named America East Player and Setter of the Week

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Ashley Tirabassi Garners Second America East Women's Soccer Player of the Week Award

UAlbany Field Hockey - #18 UAlbany Dominates Siena, 4-0, in Non-Conference Field Hockey Action

UAlbany Volleyball - Controls UMBC for 3-0 Sweep in America East Volleyball Action

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Klepper & Tirabassi Score to Lead Women's Soccer to Win at A-East Leader Stony Brook

UAlbany FCS Football - Sets Conference Football Win Streak Record in 20-17 NEC Victory Against Bryant

UAlbany Field Hockey - #18 F Hockey Shuts Out Vermont In Conference Matchup

UAlbany Volleyball - Teresa Coppiellie Leads Team to 3-0 Win Over Stony Brook in A-East Action

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Tirabassi's Record-Breaking Goal Lifts Women's Soccer Over UMBC, 1-0, in A-East Play

UAlbany Volleyball - Sweeps Siena College Remaining Undefeated In All Time Series

UAlbany Field Hockey - Ranked #18 In Latest NFHCA Poll

UAlbany FCS Football - Justin Gannon Named Northeast Conference Co-Special Teams Player of the Week

UAlbany Volleyball - Stanley Earns 3rd America East Conference Volleyball Setter of the Week Award

UAlbany Tennis - Wins 11 of 12 Matches on Second Day of Marist Tournament

UAlbany FCS Football - Uses Big Plays to Record 55-10 Homecoming Victory Against NEC-Rival Duquesne

UAlbanyField Hockey - Christina Patrick Leads #19 UAlbany to 1-0 Win Over Maine in A-East Action

UAlbany Volleyball - Brooke Stanley Leads Women's Volleyball to a 3-0 Sweep of America East-Rival Hartford

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Chelsea DeVerna Leads Women's Soccer Past New Hampshire

UAlbany Tennis - Susan Ma Records Win Leading Tennis to 7-0 Dual-Match Decision Over Union College

UAlbany FCS Football - Dominates 2nd Half And Rallies To A 20-16 Victory Against #20 Maine

UAlbany Volleyball - Defeats Virginia, 3-0, at Marriot Cavalier Invitational

UAlbany Athletics - Will Enshrine Conklin, Herfurth, Atwell, Johnston & Koelmel Into Hall of Fame

UAlbany Cross Country - Ada Lauterbach Named America East Women's Cross Country Performer of the Week

UAlbany FCS Football - David McCarty Selected Northeast Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week

UAlbany Golf - Finishes Second at ECAC Division I Women's Championship

UAlbany Volleyball - Brooke Stanley Earns 2nd America East Conference Volleyball Setter of the Week Award This Season

UAlbany Field Hockey - Inge Baijens Named America East Conference Field Hockey Rookie of the Week

UAlbany Volleyball - Defeats UNH In Straight Sets In America East Conference Opener

UAlbany FCS Football - Extends Conference Winning Streak to 15 With 27-3 Win In NEC

UAlbany Field Hockey - Savage Records Hat Trick to Lead #20 Field Hockey Over Fairfield, 7-1

UAlbany Track and Field - Leuchanka and Lauterbach Lead Cross Country Teams to Top-Five Finishes at George Mason Invite

UAlbany Volleyball - Defeats Colgate, 3-1, in Non-Conference Match-Up

UAlbany Field Hockey - Nicole Savage Named America East Conference Field Hockey Player of the Week

UAlbany FCS Football - Dave Nicomini Chosen Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week

UAlbany Field Hockey - Defeats #19 Providence At Alumni Field

UAlbany FCS Football - Beats Off Sacred Heart, 22-9, in Northeast Conference Opener

UAlbany Volleyball - Sweeps Santa Clara, St. Francis, and Penn To Win HD Holiday Inn Tournament

UAlbany Volleyball - Beats Santa Clara 3-1 To Start Penn Tournament

UAlbany Field Hoceky - Defeats Colgate, 3-1, in Non-Conference Action

UAlbany FCS Football - Chris Simpson Chosen ECAC Division I FCS Defensive Player of the Week 9

UAlbany FCS Football - TB David McCarty & ILB Chris Simpson Earn Northeast Conference Weekly Football Awards

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Tirabassi Earns UAlbany's First-Ever A-East Player of the Week Honor

UAlbany Field Hockey - Tegan Brown Named America East Conference Rookie of the Week

UAlbany Field Hockey - Christina Patrick Leads Team To 1-0 Win Over Temple

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Chrissy Klepper's First Career Goal Sends Women's Soccer Past Colgate

UAlbany FCS Football - Dominates 2nd Half And Rallies To A 20-16 Victory Against #20 Maine

UAlbany Volleyball - Defeats Virginia, 3-0, at Marriot Cavalier Invitational

UAlbany FCS Football - San Diego Chargers' Andre Coleman Sees Significant Playing Time Versus Oakland Raiders On NFL Monday Night Football

UAlbany Field Hockey - Tegan Brown Records Hat Trick Leading To 6-0 Shutout

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Signs Equipment Deal With Maverik

UAlbany FCS Football - San Diego Chargers' Andre Coleman Sees Significant Playing Time Versus Oakland Raiders On NFL Monday Night Football

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Chelsea DeVerna Garners America East Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week Honors

UAlbany Tennis - Coughlin and Mackey Go Undefeated at Fairfield Tennis Doubles Festival

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Former Star Corey Small Chosen in National Lacrosse League Draft's First Round

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Chelsea DeVerna's Golden Goal Lifts Danes Over UMass, 1-0, in Double Overtime

UAlbany FCS Football - Rashad Barksdale Signs With Arizona Cardinals - Andre Coleman Signs With San Diego Chargers

UAlbany FCS Football - Andrew Smith Named Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week

UAlbany Field Hockey - Freshman Tegan Brown Named America East FH Rookie of the Week

UAlbany Volleyball - Setter Brooke Stanley Earns America East Player of the Week Honors

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Breanna Maggio Named America East Conference Rookie of the Week

UAlbany Women's Volleyball - Brooke Stanley Named MVP of UAlbany Classic As Great Danes Post 3-0 Record

UAlbany FCS Football - Fall Just Short In Opener to Perennial Power Georgia Southern, 29-26, on Last-Minute Field Goal

UAlbany Field Hockey -Shuts Out Hofstra, Staying Undefeated To Start Season

UAlbany Volleyball - Sweeps Seton Hall In Straight Sets In 2nd Match Of UAlbany Classic

UAlbany Cross Country - Squads Sweep Individual and Team Titles at Monmouth Meet

UAlbany Volleyball - Sweeps Hofstra In Straight Sets In Game 1 Of UAlbany Classic

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Baratta and Tirabassi's Goals Lift Women's Soccer Over Iona in Home Opener

UAlbany Athletics - Bids Farewell To Former Synchronized Swimming Coach Pat Rogers

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Places Six Student-Athletes on IWLCA Women's Lacrosse All-Academic Squad

UAlbany Athletics - Joe Greene & Michelle Simpson Chosen 2008-09 Male & Female Athletes of the Year

UAlbany Athletics - UAlbany President Philip Gives Lee McElroy FCS Northeast Athletic Director Award at Welcome Event

UAlbany Field Hockey - Jess Lindsey Named America East Field Hockey Player of the Week

UAlbany Field Hockey - Completes Weekend Sweep With 2-0 Win Over Radford

New York Giants Wrap Up Training on University of Albany Campus By Shattering Attendance Record

UAlbany Lacrosse - Alums Thomson, Queener & Levine Help Toronto Nationals To 1st Major League Lacrosse Championship

UAlbany Lacrosse - Former All-American Merrick Thomson Named to All-Major League Lacrosse Team

UAlbany FCS Football - All-American McCarty Plans On Career In U.S. Marine Corps

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Alum Merrick Thomson Top Goal Scorer In Major League Lacrosse Regular Season

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Non-Conference Schedule Includes National Champion North Carolina And Syracuse

UAlbany FCS Football - SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher Visits NY Giants Training Camp On UAlbany Campus

UAlbany FCS Football - Alum Rashad Barksdale At Cornerback In New York Jets Training Camp

UAlbany FCS Football - Tailback David McCarty Added to 2009 Walter Payton Award Watch List

UAlbany Softball - Leah McIntosh Helps Lead Team Canada to Silver Medal at Canada Cup

UAlbany FCS Football - Tailback David McCarty Chosen to Preseason Sports Network FCS All-America Football Team

Women's Soccer Coach Mary-Frances Monroe Competing Professionally With Boston Breakers

Red Bull New York Soccer Inks Former University of Albany Keeper Bouna Coundoul
University of Albany Women's Soccer Coach Mary-Frances Monroe Competing Professionally With Boston Breakers

UAlbany Track - R.J. Sniffen Competes in 5,000-Meter Run at USA Junior Nationals

UAlbany - Lindsey Hart & Brittany Scott Lead Canada to Bronze Medal at 2009 FIL World Cup - UAlbany Sports 2009

University of Albany's Corey Small & Chris Schongar Picked in Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft

Florida Atlantic Pulls Away in Second Half to Hand Men's Basketball an 81-65 Loss at FAU Arena

Boca Raton, Fla. - Freshman Greg Gantt had a career-high 24 points and Florida Atlantic pulled away in the second half for an 81-65 victory over UAlbany on Monday, Nov. 30 at FAU Arena.

Florida Atlantic (3-3) led 52-50 midway through the final period, but then ripped off eight of the game's next 10 points. Gantt, who led his high school team to the Florida Class 5A championship last year, converted after collecting an offensive rebound and then drilled a three-point field goal from left of the key to ignite that run. Gantt, who made 9-of-15 from the field, including five 3-pointers, later nailed another long-range jumper from the left wing for a 62-52 margin.

UAlbany (3-5) closed the gap to six when Tim Ambrose hit a reverse layup and Will Harris finished off a fastbreak. But the Owls, who compete in the Sun Belt Conference and are led by former St. John's coach Mike Jarvis, ended the suspense with five unanswered. Demonte Simpson, who totaled six points and 10 rebounds, scored on the inside and Shavar Richardson made a 3-pointer from the left side.

The Owls, who connected on 7-of-9 from long distance in the second half, made 51.7 percent overall on 31-of-60 shooting. Brett Royster had 12 points, while Sanchez Hughley and Richardson added 10 apiece.

"That was our worst defensive effort of the season," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team dropped a four-point decision at Central Florida two days earlier. "Greg Gantt shot the ball extremely well. They were more physical and hurt us on the glass. We allowed the wrong guys to get open. Most of the three-pointers came after offensive rebounds and that demoralized us."

In the first half, UAlbany jumped out to a 12-4 lead, as senior guard Mike Johnson buried a pair of three-pointers in that opening stretch. Johnson finished with a career-high 17 points and five rebounds and three assists. The Great Danes, who led by as much as 10 in the early going, still had a 21-13 advantage when Scotty McRae hit a jump hook in the lane.

The Owls were still behind 30-25, but then made a run behind the Gantt's shooting. He canned consecutive 3-pointers, including one from left of the key that gave his team its first lead of the period. The game seesawed in the final minutes of the half. Ambrose tied the contest at 34 apiece, before Brett Royster's three-point play gave FAU a halftime lead.

UAlbany's Harris, a 6'5" senior, had 20 points despite not playing a good deal of the first half due to foul trouble. Harris has scored 20 or more points in three consecutive games. Ambrose was the third Great Dane in double figures with 19.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Basketball Comes Alive in Second Half to Defeat Cornell, 80-55, at SEFCU Arena - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - Ebone Henry contributed 14 points, five steals and four rebounds off the bench to lead the UAlbany women's basketball team to a convincing 80-55 victory over Cornell on Sunday, Nov. 29 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes, who were trailing by 12 points midway through the opening frame, rallied to take a three-point lead at halftime before outscoring the Big Red by 22 in the second half.

UAlbany (3-2), which led by a 30-27 score at the break after erasing a double-digit deficit, made adjustments defensively and successfully worked a 1-3-1 trap in the second half. The move forced Cornell to commit 18 of its 28 turnovers in the final frame. Felicia Johnson converted a conventional three-point play to put the Great Danes ahead by double figures for the first time, 41-31, with 16:42 left in the game.

After UAlbany went ahead by 13 on two free throws by Tabitha Makopondo, the Big Red cut the lead down to nine on a good jumper by Fedorowicz with 12:21 on the clock. That was the closest the visitors would come the rest of the game.

"Our coach told us to keep taking our shots, and that they would fall eventually," said Henry, who led the Great Danes in scoring for the third straight game and had a career high for steals. "We kept shooting in the second half, and [the shots] fell. Defensively, we stopped [Allie Fedorowicz], and they weren't prepared for our pressure defense."

Henry scored five consecutive points to put UAlbany ahead by a 53-39 score. Melia Basavand came off the bench and accounted for 11 of the team's next 12 points by nailing three shots from behind the arc along with a pair of free throws to put the hosts ahead by a margin of 65-48. The Great Danes' lead ballooned to 28 points when Kate Cronin converted a short jumper with 46 seconds left. Fedorowicz hit a three in the waning seconds to seal the final outcome.

"Our defense ignited us," said head coach Trina Patterson. "We lost to them by four last year and they had three seniors returning. They just couldn't get their shots off our 1-3-1 trap in the second half. We made some good adjustments [at halftime]."

UAlbany, which won for the third time in four games, scored four of the first six points before Cornell (3-3) went on a run to take a commanding 18-6 lead at the midway point of the first half. Fedorowicz, who netted a team-high 19 points in a 50-46 win over the Great Danes last season, canned three consecutive shots from downtown during the stretch.

The Great Danes emptied out their bench and started to chip away at the deficit. A three-point field goal by Henry from the left corner with 1:40 left in the opening half put the hosts up for good at 26-25. Trailing by a point with an opportunity to regain the lead at the recess, Lauren Benson had the ball stolen away from her at midcourt by Julie Forster in the final seconds. The freshman went all the way in for a fastbreak layup to give the Great Danes a three-point cushion at the break.

UAlbany's Makopondo and Basavand came alive in the second half and scored in double figures along with Henry. Makopondo had 13 points, including 11 in the second half, to go along with four rebounds. All of Basavand's 11 points came in the final stanza. Forster finished the game with seven points, eight rebounds and three steals, while Johnson added eight points and six assists.

Cornell was led by Fedorowicz, who finished with a game-high 25 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field and 6-for-9 shooting from behind the arc. Christine Vlasic contributed six points and a team-best eight rebounds off the bench, while Benson had six assists.

"It was a great team effort," added Patterson, whose team had seven players net at least seven points and will visit Canisius on Wednesday night. "We talk about having a team with no stars. Everybody made plays. We shot only 19 percent early, but there's always energy coming off the bench."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Men's Basketball Upended By Central Florida's Late Rally in 76-72 Decision at UCF Arena - UAlbany Sports 2009

Orlando, Fla. - Dave Diakite scored 21 points and made a key steal with 3.6 seconds remaining to lift Central Florida to a 76-72 victory over UAlbany on Saturday, Nov. 28 at UCF Arena.

UAlbany (3-4) took a 72-71 lead when freshman Blake Metcalf made a short jumper in the lane. Central Florida (5-1) answered when junior guard Taylor Young was fouled as he converted a left-hand drive from the top of the key. Young, who had 10 points, completed the three-point play with a free throw.

The Great Danes, who led throughout most of the second half, had several opportunities to regain the lead in the final minutes, including Tim Ambrose's missed three-point field goal and baseline jumper. With 4.6 seconds remaining, UAlbany guard Mike Johnson attempted to inbound the ball to a cutting Fran Urli in the lane. But Diakite broke up the pass and then sank two free throws to seal the outcome.

The Knights, who compete in Conference USA and own early-season wins over Auburn and Massachusetts, trailed by as much as six early in the second half. Ambrose, who netted 17 of his 25 points after the break, gave his club a 53-47 advantage as he hit a layup after Metcalf grabbed an offensive rebound. Central Florida regrouped with seven straight points and went ahead, 54-53, when A.J. Rompza drilled a three-point field goal from the right corner.

The lead changed hands several times from that moment to the end. Isaac Sosa, a sophomore sharp-shooter who had 13 points, made a layup in transition for a 62-61 margin. The Great Danes came back with consecutive baskets by Will Harris and Ambrose. Harris finished with 23 points on 11-of-18 shooting.

"They are a good team and they hurt us too many second-chance points," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team is beginning a string of eight consecutive road games. "We played a junk defense most of the game in an attempt to limit (Isaac) Sosa and (AJ) Rompza. They made one or two more plays than we did down the stretch."
In the first half, the two teams battle back and forth. The Knights took a 15-10 lead on Marcus Jordan's three-pointer from the left wing. UAlbany followed with eight unanswered. Redshirt freshman Jake Lindfors buried consecutive 3-pointers, including one from the top of the arc.

Diakite, who made 7-of-11 from the field and collected eight rebounds, later was fouled after scoring with an offensive rebound. His three-point play gave UCF a 31-26 advantage. The Great Danes would draw even at 33 apiece when Harris was fouled on a fastbreak layup. Harris, a 6'5' senior, made another basket and Fran Urli scored on the left baseline to the end the first half in a 37-37 deadlock.

"I thought they played good defense in the last minute," said Harris, who added five rebounds and three steals. "We shared the ball well offensively, but it came down to the final minute. We played competitively on the road against a good team and that's what I will take away from this experience."

Paw Prints: UAlbany's Tim Ambrose (25) and Will Harris (23) became the 17th UAlbany duo to score 20-plus points in the same game at the Division I level ... Ambrose and Harris also scored 20-plus apiece against UMBC on Jan. 25, 2009 ... the Great Danes were meeting a Conference USA opponent for the first time ... UAlbany is making its second trip to the state of Florida as a Division I program and meets Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton on Monday ... Central Florida's Marcus Jordan, the son of Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, had six points and three rebounds off the bench.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Volleyball Closes Out 2009 Season With 3-0 Win Over American at University Gym - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - Teresa Coppiellie recorded a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs to lead UAlbany to a 3-0 sweep of American in the final match of the season at University Gymnasium on Saturday, Nov. 28. The Great Danes won with set scores of 25-18, 25-16 and 25-11.

UAlbany was in control from the beginning, recording a .366 hitting percentage for the match, while holding the Eagles to a .085 clip. Casey Wright posted a .667 hitting percentage, recording six kills to go along with six total blocks. America East Conference Player and Setter of the Year Brooke Stanley led all players with a .714 hitting percentage, recording five kills to go along with a match-high 31 assists, eight digs, and four total blocks. Laurie Gonzalez finished with a match-best 12 digs for the Great Danes, who outblocked the Eagles, 12-3, and recorded six service aces.

American (18-13) was paced by right side hitter Angelina Waterman, who recorded a team-best 11 kills and added 10 digs. Magdalena Tekiel and Cassandra Ricketts added seven kills each for the Eagles, while Cynammon Burns led the team defensively with 11 digs. Krysta Cicala finished with 30 assists and one of American's three service aces.

UAlbany wraps up the 2009 season at 22-9 overall. The Great Danes won their third straight regular-season title before falling to Binghamton in the America East Conference Championship match.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Men's Basketball Heads to Florida's Sunshine State for Pair of Thanksgiving Holiday Games

Albany, N.Y. - UAlbany basketball heads to the Sunshine State for the Thanksgiving holidays. The Great Danes meet Central Florida in Orlando on Nov. 28 and Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton on Nov. 30. Fans can listen to both games on Fox Sports Radio, AM 980, with Rodger Wyland handling the broadcasts.

Central Florida is off to a 4-1 start following a 59-50 victory over Drake on Nov. 22. Head coach Kirk Speraw has led the program to four NCAA appearances and was the 2007 Conference USA Coach of the Year. Isaac Sosa, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, leads the team in scoring at 13.8 points per game. A native of Puerto Rico, Sosa played in the FIBA U19 World Championships. A.J. Tyler, a 6'9" junior who transferred from Clemson, contributes 10.0 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Florida Atlantic, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, is led by veteran coach Mike Jarvis, who has 371 victories at the collegiate level. Jarvis previously coached at St. John's, George Washington and Boston University. Raymond Taylor, at 5-foot-6, is one of the better freshman guards in the nation. He averages 18.3 points and 6.2 assists. Shavar Richardson, the Sun Belt's top freshman scorer one year ago, scores at a 14.0 clip.

UAlbany (3-3) won two of three games at last weekend's 2K Sports Classic Sub-Regional. Will Harris had 22 points and nine rebounds in a 71-66 victory over Robert Morris on Nov. 22. Harris was named to the regional all-tournament team. The Great Danes held the defending Northeast Conference champions to 34.3-percent shooting. Blake Metcalf, a 6'9" freshman, was the unsung hero in both tournament wins and was chosen America East Conference Rookie of the Week. Tim Ambrose, a 6-foot junior, is averaging 13.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and a team-leading 4.5 assists.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Women's Basketball Drops Non-Conference Contest to Hofstra, 62-49

Hempstead, N.Y. - Jess Fuller recorded 15 points and 15 rebounds and Shante Evans also added a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards off the bench to lead Hofstra to a 62-49 victory over UAlbany in non-conference women's basketball action on Wedensday afternoon at the Mack Sports Complex.

Hofstra (3-0), which outrebounded its first two opponents by a margin of 21, used its size advantage inside from the opening tip to go ahead by a 4-0 score. Sparked by three-point field goals by Ebone Henry and Charity Iromuanya, the Great Danes responded by going on an 11-3 run to take a four-point lead at the 11:20 mark. The run was capped by Tabitha Makopondo, who put in a short jumper following an offensive rebound by Julie Forster.

The teams then started trading baskets, and the Pride regained the lead for the first time since the early minutes when Candice Bellocchio hit a jumper in transition. Trailing by four, the Great Danes rallied once again. Melia Basavand drilled a three-pointer from 30 feet away, and Henry added her second trifecta of the contest to knot the game at 21 before the final media timeout of the half. After Hofstra broke out to a seven-point lead, Iromunaya made two layups, including one as time expired, to close the gap to four points at the break.

Hofstra, which held a 53-36 advantage on the glass, scored six of the first eight points to start the second half and built up a double-digit lead for the first time at 42-32 when Bellocchio made a fastbreak layup at 15:43. The lead grew to 15 at 52-37 right after the midway point of the stanza when Marie Malone converted a short jumper in the paint.

UAlbany (2-2) was able to trim the deficit to single digits at the 6:21 mark when Forster completed a conventional three-point play. The freshman, who scored all nine of her points in the second half, made a running jumper through traffic followed by the ensuing free throw. However, that was the closest the visitors would come the rest of the way. A pair of free throws by Sam Brigham with 1:21 remaining sealed the final outcome.

UAlbany was led by Henry, who netted 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. She also nailed three shots from behind the arc. Forster filled up the scoresheet by contributing nine points, six rebounds, four steals and three blocks. Iromuanya added 11 points, while Makopondo pulled down a team-best seven rebounds.

In addition to Fuller and Evans, Hofstra was also paced by Bellocchio and Nicole Capurso. Bellocchio, who set the program's single-game record for assists earlier this year, had six helpers to go along with eight points. Capurso added nine points for the hosts.

The Pride outshot the Great Danes, 35.6 percent (21-59) to 30 percent (18-60) from the floor and 65.5 percent (19-29) to 50 percent (8-16) at the charity stripe. UAlbany outshot Hofstra from behind the arc, 35.7 percent (5-14) to 10 percent (1-10).

"Foul trouble and later the fatigue factor hurt us," said head coach Trina Patterson, whose team will host Cornell on Sunday afternoon. "Hofstra had too many interior weapons. We can work around one or two, but they had four or five big, strong


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Jess Lindsey and Sarah Deane Named to America East All-Academic Field Hockey Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Jess Lindsey and Sarah Deane were named to the 2009 America East Conference Field Hockey All-Academic Team, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon. It is the first all-academic team honor for both players.

Lindsey, a senior from Norristown, Pa., helped anchor a defense that allowed just 13 goals in 18 games this season. Lindsey is UAlbany's all-time career assists leader with 50 helpers and is tied for sixth in career points with 78. She has been a member of the NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad, the America East Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll and the UAlbany Athletics Honor Roll. She was an all-conference first team and all-rookie team honoree as a freshman. Lindsey has maintained a 3.43 cumulative grade point average while majoring in psychology.

Deane, a junior from Orefield, Pa., started all 18 games for the Great Danes this season in the defensive midfield, recording one goal. Deane is a two-time NFHCA Division I National Academic Team honoree, and is also a member of the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll and the UAlbany Athletic Director's Honor Roll. A psychology major, Deane holds a 3.86 cumulative GPA.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany ROTC Cadet Alex Saxby Wins Prestigious USAA Spirit Award Scholarship

UAlbany senior Alex Saxby, receipient of the USAA Spirit Award scholarship for ROTC cadets who best embody the concept of service to the community, the U.S. Army, and the nation.

University at Albany senior and ROTC member Alex Saxby won a United Services Automobile Association (USAA) Spirit Award scholarship, which acknowledges cadets who best embody the concept of service to the battalion, the community, the U.S. Army, and the nation.

"Cadet Saxby is by far one of our top cadets," said ROTC Major Michaela M. Phillips. "His leadership as Commander of Charlie Company, the cadet organization here at UAlbany, has generated motivation to improve levels of physical fitness, technical knowledge, and leadership. He gets results and is definitely deserving of the USAA Spirit Award."

Saxby, from Bloomfield, N.Y., is a senior majoring in political science. The Army ROTC Department will recognize his achievements at a joint awards ceremony at the end of the spring semester.

Contact(s): Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

$6.8 Million National Institutes of Health Grant Bolsters UAlbany Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities

The University at Albany’s Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities (CEMHD) has received a $6.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to advance and continue research aimed at eliminating health disparities in smaller cities throughout New York. The new grant will bolster the Center's research to improve access to health screening and quality health care for underrepresented groups, such as African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans. CEMHD projects also seek to promote healthy environments in small communities throughout the state, and provide information to New Yorkers about health maintenance.

The goals of the Center, founded in 2005, are to identify community needs, focus on barriers to health care and prevention programs, and develop specific projects with community groups to test programs that may reduce barriers and improve utilization of health-related services, and ultimately improve health.

"Increasing access to high-quality primary and preventive health care services for New Yorkers has been a focus of Governor David A. Paterson's historic health care reforms over the last two years," said Richard F. Daines, M.D., New York State Commissioner of Health. "This significant support from NIH for the University at Albany's Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities will further break down barriers to care for many vulnerable and underserved individuals in the State. Greater access to services in the State's small cities and a better understanding of health care disparities will result in reduced numbers of hospitalizations among minority populations and a healthier New York."

"The Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities fills an important need by developing effective community-based approaches for improving minority health in New York," said University at Albany President George M. Philip. "I congratulate Director Lawrence Schell and the esteemed research team of the Center for their tireless dedication to improving the health of communities throughout the State."

The projects include:


Identifying successful strategies for overcoming barriers to reproductive healthcare encountered by low-income African-American women in small-town settings;
A national analysis of racial, ethnic and economic disparities in health - over time and by place;
Examining the impact of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and lead (Pb) on the reproductive health of Akwesasne Mohawk women living near the St. Lawrence River.

From left, Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, New York State Commissioner of Health Richard F. Daines, M.D., and UAlbany President George M. Philip were on hand to mark CEMHD's $6.8 million grant from NIH to reduce minority health disparities. (Photo Mark Schmidt)

Researchers at the University at Albany will seek solutions to encourage greater numbers of African American women in small cities like Hudson, N.Y., to use services for reproductive health, including screening for breast and cervical cancer. CEMHD researchers are partnering with Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood and other community organizations to develop outreach programs for education and improved access to services.

"We are very excited to work with the University at Albany and the Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities," stated Patricia McGeown, President/CEO of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood. "This project will enable us to work with longstanding and new community partners to ensure that reproductive health services are accessible to all local residents, particularly those who may face significant cultural, income or geographical barriers."

"African-American women suffer significant disparities in disease incidence and health outcomes in relation to reproductive health, and we will evaluate intervention strategies that are specifically designed and may be especially effective in small cities and towns," said Schell. This project is led by associate professor Annis Golden and professor Anita Pomerantz of UAlbany's Department of Communication, with additional support from School of Public Health assistant professor Jennifer Manganello.

A second project, involving UAlbany's Department of Economics, will examine the nature of health disparities affecting multiple racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., including non-Latino whites, Latinos, African Americans, Asians, American Indians and native Alaskans, This study will look at how race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status are related to health over a 14-year time period and across communities of varying population size (rural to urban). Using data from the entire nation, researchers will examine whether health differences among racial and ethnic groups in small cites and towns are similar to what is often found in major cities, and whether differences have increased or decreased over time. Distinguished Professor Kajal Lahiri is project director and principal investigator, joined by co-investigator Pinka Chatterji and consultant Zulkarnain Pulungan.

The third part of the research series will examine whether the reproductive health of women of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe on the St. Lawrence River has been adversely affected by toxins. The Akwesasne community is adjacent to one federal and two state Superfund sites affected by environmental toxins including PCBs and lead. The study will follow 180 women ages 21-35 through one menstrual cycle to investigate the effect of PCBs on their reproductive health, with the aim of improving health. Dr. David Carpenter, the director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the School of Public Health, is co-principal investigator and lab director on this project. He is joined by co-investigator Mia V. Gallo (College of Arts and Sciences), associate professor Glenn Deane (sociology), and professor Cheryl Frye (psychology).

“Akwesasne has long been impacted by PCBs from neighboring industries,” remarked Tribal Chief James Ransom. “Women of child-bearing age are a particularly vulnerable at-risk group. We hope this research leads to improved health in our community and we thank UAlbany for the opportunity to participate with them on this important project.”

The Center has worked to build an inventory of existing health resources available to regional communities in Albany and Amsterdam, N.Y., and has developed partnerships with groups to assist in the dissemination of information to at-risk groups. Additionally, CEMHD has helped develop a health disparities certificate program designed to respond to the need for current and future leaders in public health, social services, medicine, and the social sciences (public health, social work, psychology, economics, health communication, and anthropology) to be knowledgeable of the issues and strategies needed to eliminate health disparities. The goal of this graduate program is to train current students and professionals in the field to be leaders in addressing health disparities by building community capacity and sustainability. These key initiatives have been coordinated and developed by associate professor of epidemiology David Strogatz, associate professor of social welfare Robert L. Miller Jr., and community outreach director Wilma Alvarado-Little.

Contact(s): Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

University of Albany School of Education Researchers Author 'Best Practices from High-Performing Middle Schools'

In Best Practices from High-Performing Middle Schools, UAlbany School of Education researhers detail how some middle schools consistently foster better academic performance, regardless of challenges.

Middle schools teach students at one of the most vulnerable times of their lives. Yet in every testing cycle, middle grade results tend to show less progress than either elementary or high school. Now, as educators and policymakers focus on reducing the high school dropout rate, some point to the middle grades as the place where problems start.

Do any middle schools "get it right?" Yes, say two researchers from the University at Albany’s School of Education. In Best Practices from High-Performing Middle Schools, visiting professor Kristen Wilcox and Janet Angelis, associate director of UAlbany's Albany Institute for Research in Education (AIRE), share what they have learned about how some middle schools consistently foster better academic performance, no matter what challenges their students bring to school.

Having compared schools whose students consistently do well on annual high-stakes tests of English and math to those whose students get average results, the authors identify five key elements of best practice that distinguish higher-performing middle schools:

Trust and respect. They hold everyone to the same expectation of respect for others, whether they are inside the school or in the school’s community. This climate of respect establishes an atmosphere conducive to learning and teaching. It provides the backbone for a successful school.

Teamwork. People work together. Teachers meet regularly to discuss student progress, to coordinate lessons, and to plan curriculum. Furthermore, teachers feel safe to share problems and work together to solve them. They invite parents and community members to join key committees that make important decisions about the school.

Evidence. Teachers and administrators study results before making program decisions. They do research to see how a new program works before trying it out. Teachers look at how their own students are performing, compare results with other teachers, make adjustments and check again. And they do this all along, not just at the end of the year; this way they can catch and address problems before they get out of hand.

Social and emotional well-being. Since social and emotional issues can get in the way of learning, educators find ways to help every student feel that he or she belongs in the school. They make sure that every student has at least one adult to turn to; they also offer a wide variety of activities, clubs, and sports and provide guidance and other social services for students who need them.
Shared mission. Finally, higher-performing schools have a clear mission and have set goals that everyone agrees with and works toward. School board members, teachers, and administrators share a vision of student success, and everything they do is to help achieve that vision. In effective schools the vision includes always trying to do better.

According to the authors, effective middle schools demonstrate all five of these attributes, not just one or a few. Together they provide the supports needed to help adolescents perform well during the middle-school years, and Best Practices from High-Performing Middle Schools is replete with examples of how the successful schools have done it.


Contact(s): Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

University of Albany School of Education Researchers Reveal Reasons Why Some Schools Excel at Science Instruction

UAlbany researchers found that schools demonstrating essential elements of instruction produce students who do well in science.

Researchers at the University at Albany’s School of Education and the Just for the Kids-NY project have found that middle schools demonstrating five essential elements of instruction produce students who consistently do well in science.

The five elements identified in the UAlbany study are:

• All students are given a fair chance to experience how enjoyable and relevant science can be through open enrollment in higher level classes and/or heterogeneous grouping.
• Continual curriculum review and communication among all science educators across all grade levels ensure students learn the fundamentals.
• Teachers and administrators focus on what needs to be learned by using a variety of data to assess student progress.
• Teachers seek ways to collaborate across the curriculum so that students build scientific literacy and fluency.
• Districts hire teachers who not only fit their culture and have scientific knowledge but also want to teach students at the middle level.

Students who experience these elements outperform their peers on New York State Science Assessments and are not only prepared to take higher-level science in high school but are interested in doing so.

To conduct the study, Visiting Assistant Professor Kristen Campbell Wilcox and Distinguished Professor Arthur Applebee selected two groups of schools that are similar in all aspects other than their results on the New York State Intermediate-Level (Grade 8) Science Assessment. In 40 percent of the schools, student poverty levels exceed the state average as measured by free and reduced-price lunch rates. Per pupil expenditures in each school cluster near the state average, and no schools have competitive admissions policies. However, in one group of schools, students consistently scored at or near the mean on the science exam during the years 2006, 2007, and 2008; in the other group, students consistently scored at least one standard deviation higher on the same exam over the same years. Teams of researchers made two-day visits to schools in both groups, interviewing teachers and administrators and observing science classrooms. They then compared the data collected across all sites to identify the elements that marked the difference between the two groups overall. Each element was present in at least half the higher performers and absent in at least half the average performers.

In addition, according to administrators in the higher-performing schools, their students are not only prepared to take higher-level science in high school but also sign up to do so. According to economists, these dual goals -- students both interested in science and prepared to continue their study -- are key to a technologically sophisticated future society.

Both the report and a summary can be ordered or downloaded.

This study is the fourth in which the researchers identified differences between higher- and average-performing schools. Previous studies examined elementary, middle, and high schools generally. Reports of findings and related materials are available at Know Your Schools New York.


Contact(s): Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

UAlbany Highlights Sustainability in Proposed Student Housing Project and Will Boast LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver Rating

UAlbany Highlights Sustainability in Proposed Student Housing Project and Will Boast
A LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Rating


The proposed apartment-style housing will be similar in amenities to Empire Commons, above.

With record applications and student enrollment that’s grown to 18,000, the University at Albany is developing a new 500-bed dormitory on the southeast portion of the uptown campus near Indian Pond.

The apartment-style housing for upperclassmen would be similar in amenities to Empire Commons and built on 12 acres of undeveloped land. The project will be constructed to be environmentally sustainable, with a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver rating, at a minimum.

Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings has proposed transferring an additional 3.3 acres from the Harriman State Office Campus to UAlbany to help facilitate a larger buffer between the project and a residential neighborhood not far from the site.

UAlbany President George M. Philip said the University hopes to acquire this additional acreage in order to help address neighborhood concerns about visual impacts, noise, and storm water.

"We are your neighbors and we want to be good neighbors," said Philip at a public hearing in September.

The University will meet with neighbors to share concept renderings of the project that are based, in part, on neighborhood comments.

According to John Giarrusso, associate vice president for facilities management, UAlbany has very few areas on the densely constructed uptown campus on which to build such housing. The proposed site was selected based on costs, traffic, pedestrian safety, and conformance with campus master planning principles.

"Planning is under way to ensure the site minimizes impacts to the adjacent neighborhood while enhancing the area around the Purple Path and the pond," said Giarrusso.

He said funds for the housing project come from student room rates, not from tax dollars. The project will also serve to decrease traffic during peak hours, as students who once commuted to UAlbany will now live on campus.

Facts on Proposed Student Housing:

Looking at approximately 500 apartment-style beds along with associated parking. The exact number of units could be a bit more or less, depending on the design and architecture of the building.

Similar to Empire Commons with respect to amenities, but not necessarily the look or design, with single bedrooms, four to an apartment, two bathrooms, shared kitchen and living rooms.

There will be a central mail box, exercise, and gathering area for use by the residents.

To save land and maximize construction efficiencies, the new project will likely have more floors than Empire Commons.

It is likely the University will relocate Perimeter Road, stretching it closer to the property line so that the housing can be farther away from neighbors and closer to the interior of campus.

Plans exist to link the new Purple Path (walking path), and extend/improve it through to the Boor Sculpture Studio.

The project is in the design/planning mode now. Surveying and soil testing work occurred over the summer, and environmental reviews are being conducted, to be released in the coming weeks.

Construction could start in early spring 2010 for occupancy in September 2012.

UAlbany NanoCollege Presents First-Ever “Nano in the Mall” Program

The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") presented its first-ever "Nano in the Mall" program on November 14, highlighting the role of nanotechnology in enabling energy efficiency and conservation.

Led by Dr. Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik, CNSE Associate Professor of Nanoengineering, and supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation ("NSF"), the event featured interactive demonstrations, displays and detailed information regarding alternative and renewable energy technologies.

Designed to engage members of the community on the importance of promoting energy efficiency and developing sustainable energy technologies, including new innovations in areas such as solid state lighting, the program gave visitors the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities involving LED lighting, as well as a up-close look at CNSE's research aimed at promoting clean energy technologies.

The event took place during CNSE's month-long community and educational outreach initiative known as NANOvember, part of the CNSE-KeyBank "NEXSTEP" initiative to promote greater understanding of the region's changing economic and business environment driven by nanotechnology, with a special emphasis on children, citizens and community.

University of Albany FCS Football QB Vinny Esposito Chosen Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2009

Somerset, N.J. - University at Albany's Vinny Esposito has been selected Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Week in football, as announced on Monday, Nov. 23 by the conference office. Esposito received the weekly award for the second time this season.

Esposito, a senior quarterback from Demarest, N.J., accounted for four touchdowns, all in the first half, in last Saturday's 41-28 victory against Wagner. He threw touchdown passes of nine and 14 yards to help stake his team to a 21-7 lead. Esposito added scoring runs of 8 and 1 yards in the final minutes of the second quarter to help build a 20-point halftime margin. He completed 14 of 21 passes for 248 yards, the eighth time in his career that he surpassed the 200-mark. Esposito made a key play in the final quarter when he fired a 29-yard strike to Tim Bush on a third-and-18 play that ignited a touchdown drive.

Among the program's all-time leaders in several categories, Esposito completed his career second in both passing yards (5,692) and touchdown passes (38). UAlbany (7-4, NEC 6-2) finished in second place in the NEC standings, one game behind league champion Central Connecticut State.

Paw Prints: The Great Danes reached the seven-win mark for the fourth consecutive season ... the Great Danes have posted six or more victories in Northeast Conference play on six occasions ... TB Justin Gannon tied a career-high with 205 all-purpose yards against Wagner ... Gannon rushed for a career-high 86 yards on 19 carries and scored on a 12-yard run in the fourth quarter to seal the outcome ... QB/TB Andrew Smith ran for 98 yards, one off his career-best total, and scored a pair of touchdowns in the opening quarter ... WR Tim Bush made five catches for 77 yards and is the school's all-time leader with 147 career receptions ... FS Dave Casale had seven tackles and is No. 18 on the career list with 224 ... ILB Justin Brancaccio, who has a team-high nine stops vs. Wagner, ended up eighth on the all-time tackles chart with 261 ... TB David McCarty was plagued by seven different injuries in his final season and left last week's game in the second quarter with a hip injury ... McCarty finished his career as the program's leader in rushing yards (4,287), all-purpose yards (4,976) and career 100-yard rushing games (24).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Men's Basketball's Blake Metcalf Named America East Conference Rookie of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2009

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Blake Metcalf has been chosen America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men's basketball, as announced on Monday, Nov. 23 by the conference office. UAlbany (3-3) won three of four games played last week, including two victories at the 2K Sports Classic Albany Sub-Regional.

Metcalf, a 6-foot-9 freshman from Camby, Ind., was an unsung hero off the bench in two wins at the 2K Sports Classic. He had a career-best nine points, on 4-of-4 shooting, and grabbed four rebounds in Sunday's 71-66 victory over defending Northeast Conference champion Robert Morris. He also totaled six points, a career-high seven rebounds, two blocks and two assists in a first-round tournament win against Alcorn State.

Hoop Notes: UAlbany hosted the 2K Sports Classic, benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, on Nov. 20-22 at SEFCU Arena ... the Albany Sub-Regional tournament drew 7,832 fans over three days ... UAlbany held all three 2K Sports Classic opponents under 39 percent from the field ... the Great Danes limited Robert Morris to 34.3-percent shooting in the final game of the regional tournament ... Will Harris, a 6'5" senior, posted season-highs in points (22) and rebounds (9) against Robert Morris and was named to the all-tournament team ... the Great Danes have played four opponents in the first two weeks of the season who made last year's NCAA Tournament field ... UAlbany travels to the Sunshine State this week to meet Central Florida (Nov. 28) and Florida Atlantic (Nov. 30).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Basketball Wins Home Opener, 70-49, Over St. Francis - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - Freshman guard Ebone Henry had 12 of her career-high 16 points in the second half as UAlbany pulled away for a 70-49 victory over Saint Francis, N.Y. in the Great Danes' home opener on Monday, Nov. 23 at SEFCU Arena.

The contest featured 12 lead changes and four ties through the opening 25 minutes of play. Henry tied the game with a pair of free throws and then gave her team a 38-36 advantage when she drove into the lane on an inbounds play. Still leading 38-36, the Great Danes ran off nine straight points. Henry ignited the outburst with a three-point field goal from the left corner and by scoring on a cut in the lane.

UAlbany (2-1) held a 47-38 cushion with 9:21 remaining, but exploded with a string of 14 consecutive markers. Julie Forster, a walk-on freshman, made a layup after making a steal off the top of a 1-3-1 zone defense, before Charity Iromuanya canned a 3-pointer from the right corner for a 15-point cushion. Melia Basavand connected on back-to-back long-range jumpers and Forster drilled two foul shots for a commanding 61-38 lead with 3:55 to play.

"We are going to go far with effort and hard work on defense," explained Henry, whose team forced 27 turnovers and confused the visitors by switching between man-to-man and zone defenses. "Our coach talks about coming off the bench strong. I am trying to score, rebound and do whatever I have to do to help my team."

In the first half, St. Francis (0-3) ran off seven unanswered points to reverse a 17-16 deficit. Kendra Williams made a pair of free throws to put her team in front. Autumn Lau, a freshman who totaled 15 points and 16 rebounds, sank a three-pointer from the left corner and Tiara Dunson made a 19-footer from just inside the top of the arc.

The Great Danes were still trailing 29-25, but Henry converted a drive from the left wing and Felicia Johnson, who had 10 points and five assists, made a 14-foot jumper in transition to draw their team even at halftime. The opening period produced nine lead changes and two ties.

"Our bench lighted a spark," said UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, whose team travels to Hofstra on Wednesday for an afternoon game. "(Ebone) Henry and (Julie) Forster were great. I like the character of this team. We struggled a little bit offensively, but we made shots when needed."

Dunson, a junior guard, finished with 13 points for the Terriers, who were held to 6-of-18 shooting from the field in the second half. UAlbany's Iromuanya had 12 points and seven rebounds, while Forster added a career-best 10.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Will Harris Nets 22 in Basketball's 2K Sports Classic Win Against NEC Champion Robert Morris - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - Will Harris scored 22 points and Tim Ambrose added 15 in leading UAlbany to a 71-66 victory over Robert Morris in the third round of the 2K Sports Classic, benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, Albany Sub-Regional on Sunday, Nov. 22 at SEFCU Arena. In the first game of the doubleheader, Detroit upended Alcorn State, 79-59.

In a tight-fisted contest, UAlbany (3-3) ran off six unanswered to take an 18-9 lead midway through the opening half. Logan Aronhalt, a redshirt freshman, made a baseline jumper and a 14-footer, while Blake Metcalf hit a jump hook in the lane. Metcalf, a 6-foot-9 freshman, finished with a career-best nine points off the bench.

Robert Morris (1-4), the defending Northeast Conference champion, rallied to within 21-19 when Russell Johnson canned a three-point field goal from the left wing after receiving an in-bounds pass. The Great Danes, who shot 58.3 percent in the period, came back with 10 of the game's next 12 points. Harris drilled a three-pointer from the right side for a 27-21 lead, before Fran Urli scored on inside cut and Metcalf made another basket off Harris' high-low exchange.

The Great Danes, who were coming off a 12-point loss the previous night to Detroit in this three-day regional tournament, settled for a 35-27 advantage at the intermission as the visitors were held to 30-percent shooting in the half. However, UAlbany quickly upped its margin to 12 in the final stanza when senior guard Mike Johnson made a layup and Harris sank two free throws after collecting an offensive rebound.

UAlbany still held a working 11-point margin when Harris, a 6-foot-5 senior, made another 3-pointer from the left wing with 4:14 remaining. The Colonials, who made their first NCAA appearance since 1992 last year, would make a late run.

Velton Jones, a 6-foot sophomore, nailed consecutive long-range jumpers, including one from the top of the arc off a screen that closed the gap to 67-63. Jones finished with 17 points, all in the second half. But UAlbany freshman Derrek Tartt calmly made two fouls shots with 16.4 seconds remaining. Harris, who had 17 second-half points and was named to the all-tournament squad, ended the dramatics with two more free throws.

"They tried to make us play fast and that's when we had trouble," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team won two of three tournament games. "We gave ourselves a chance by executing our halfcourt sets. We got good contributions from a lot of guys. (Will) Harris was aggressive and played with rhythm."

The Colonials' Mezie Nwigie led his team with 18 points. Nwigie joined Alcorn State's Jonathan Boyd and Detroit's Xavier Keeling on the all-tournament team. The Titans' Eli Holman was named most valuable player.

"I am happy that we had a lead from beginning to end," said Harris, who had his first 20-plus outing since last February. "This is the first offseason that I have been healthy. I was able to work out on a consistent basis and it is starting to show now."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

University of Albany QB Vinny Esposito Accounts for Four TDs in Football's 41-28 NEC Victory Against Wagner - UAlbany Sports 2009

Staten Island, N.Y. - Senior quarterback Vinny Esposito passed for two touchdowns and ran for two scores, all in the first half, in leading UAlbany to a 41-28 Northeast Conference victory over Wagner on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Wagner College Stadium. The Great Danes finished their season alone in second place in the conference standings, one game behind league champion Central Connecticut State.

UAlbany (7-4, NEC 6-2) had to hold on in the second half after building a 20-point lead at the intermission. Wagner (6-5, NEC 5-3) controlled the third quarter and closed within 34-21 on freshman quarterback Nick Doscher's 2-yard run over right tackle with 10:26 left in the stanza. The Seahawks were looking for most points at the end of the period, but David Lopez missed a 45-yard field goal.

The Great Danes immediately responded with an 8-play, 72-yard drive to start the final quarter. Esposito, who connected on 14 of 21 passes for 248 yards, found Tim Bush with a 29-yard completion on third-and-18 to keep the series alive. Justin Gannon, a senior tailback, capped the sequence with a 12-yard touchdown run for a 41-20 lead with 11:40 to play. Gannon, who got the majority of the work with David McCarty sidelined by a hip injury, finished with a career-high 86 yards on 19 carries.

Doscher, a 22-year-old who was originally was selected in the Major League Baseball draft by the Kansas City Roylas, moved his team 72 yards to get his club within two scores. Doscher worked his way to the right on fourth-and-goal at the UAlbany 13 and fired a touchdown strike to Justin Matthews, who was wide open in the back of the end zone. The college rookie passed for 156 yards and added 78 on the ground.

But that was as close as the Seahawks would get, as UAlbany used its rushing attack to run down the clock. Andrew Smith, a redshirt freshman, keyed that action and had 98 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Safety Emerson Kinsey intercepted a Doscher pass on the sideline to seal the outcome with 2:42 to play.

"We responded to everything that they gave us," said UAlbany coach Bob Ford, whose team reached the seven-win mark for the fourth consecutive season. "We were a little sloppy in the kicking game and their quarterback is going to give a lot people headaches during his career."

The Great Danes scored twice in a one-minute-and-44-second span of the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead.Smith reached paydirt on an 8-yard run when he faked into the line out of the quarterback position and darted through the middle. After outside linebacker Jon Morgan recovered a fumble, Esposito, the starting signal-caller, hit Smith, out of the tailback spot, in the right flat with a 9-yard touchdown pass.

Wagner regrouped with a 10-play, 83-yard march behind the Doscher's play. Dominque Williams, who rushed for 101 yards, finished off that series with a 28-yard rumble over the right side for a touchdown with 7:32 left in the second quarter. The Great Danes responded with a seven-play drive. Esposito hooked up with McCarty on a 35-yard screen pass, before Smith rushed for 27 yards. Esposito's 14-yard TD pass to fullback Chris Kenneally gave his team a 21-7 advantage.

The Seahawks' Frantz Placide took the following kickoff 89 yards to end zone when he broke through a wedge and sped down the right sideline. UAlbany came back with two scores in the late stages of the period to build a 34-14 halftime lead. Esposito worked his way around right end on an 8-yard option run for the first touchdown. The senior then executed a perfect three-play series from near midfield. He threw a pair of 25-plus yard passes to Gannon and then went over from 1-yard out on a sneak.

"With (David) McCarty sidelined I just wanted to do my part," offered Gannon, who totaled 194 all-purpose yards in his final game as a collegian. "It feels great after the last two games did not go our way. We will always remember this game rather than the losses."

Both UAlbany and Wagner had opportunities to share the conference title coming into the contest. However, Central Connecticut State ended those dreams when the Blue Devils rallied in the fourth quarter for the second straight week in a 14-13 road win against Saint Francis, Pa.

"Everything is kind of sublime right now," said UAlbany's Dave Nicomini, a senior outside linebacker who had eight tackles. "We have had a great run (as seniors) and will miss each other. But we battled through some adversity and we are leaving on a good note."

Paw Prints: UAlbany has posted seven or more wins in eight of their 11 seasons at the NCAA FCS Division I level ... the Great Danes finished with six victories conference play for the sixth time, including three years in a row ... UAlbany is now 5-1 following a bye week as a FCS program ... wide receiver Tim Bush had five catches for 77 yards in his final game and finishes his career as the school's all-time receptions leaders (147) ...senior linebacker Justin Brancaccio had a team-high nine tackles and is eighth on career charts with 261 ...

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Cross Country Teams Post Highest Finishes Ever at IC4A and ECAC Championships - UAlbany Sports 2009

Bronx, N.Y. - Led by freshman All-East selections Alex Leuchanka and Miranda McConnell, the UAlbany cross country teams posted second-place finishes in the University Division races at the IC4A and ECAC championships on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Van Cortlandt Park. Temple and Marist won the men's and women's team titles, respectively.

The UAlbany men's second-place finish was its highest ever at the meet, while the women's runner-up performance, its third overall, matched its best ever. In addition, the average time of the top five finishers for both the men (26:36.38) and the women (18:49.24) were school records at Van Cortlandt Park. Sophomore Ada Lauterbach and junior Jenn Pierson joined Leuchanka and McConnell as All-East picks.

The men's top five finishers were all freshmen and redshirt freshmen. Leuchanka navigated the 8,000-meter course in 26:07.3 to place ninth among 204 runners, while a pack of Great Danes that finished within five seconds of each other rounded out the team's top five. Ethan Clary was 29th in 26:40.8, while Sean Halpin crossed the tape 30th in 26:44.7. Paul Lagno turned in a 31st-place performance for circling the course in 26:44.7, and Craig Weiss was 32nd overall with a time of 26:45.5.

Four of the top five finishers for the women were underclassmen, while the three All-East honorees set a new program standard. McConnell finished first on the squad for completing the 5,000-meter circuit in 18:27.5, which placed her 11th among 192 competitors. Lauterbach finished 13th overall in 18:30.2, and was directly followed by Pierson, who posted a mark of 18:36.2. Freshmen Brianna Service (25th, 18:56.4) and Melissa Del Rosario (59th, 19:35.9) completed the team's top five.

"Both squads had great days," said head coach Craig McVey, who mentored the youngest teams in the America East Conference this season. "This was a great springboard to next fall. Our women and our men know where we can go from here. They also understand that it will be a daily undertaking, and they are ready to embrace what (we are looking to accomplish moving forward)."


IC4A Championship Team Standings (University Division)
1. Temple 70; 2. UAlbany 131; 3. New Hampshire 147; 4. Army 167; 5. Pittsburgh 169; 6. Rutgers 197; 7. Binghamton 198; 8. Rider 218; 9. Central Connecticut 258; 10. Colgate 274; 11. NJIT 281; 12. Fordham 285; 13. Manhattan 289; 14. Fairfield 363; 15. Sacred Heart 372; 16. Mansfield 382; 17. Loyola 420; 18. Monmouth 428; 19. Holy Cross 442; 20. Hofstra 631; 21. Siena 637; 22. St. Francis, N.Y.; 23. Seton Hall 680; 24. Dowling 781.

Individual Champion: Christian Baumbach, NJIT, 25:36.8.
UAlbany Finishers: 9. Alex Leuchanka 26:07.3; 29. Ethan Clary 26:40.8; 30. Sean Halpin 26:43.6; 31. Paul Lagno 26:44.7; 32. Craig Weiss 26:45.5; 36. Chris Manico 26:51.1; 46. David Rothman 27:07.2; 55. John Moore 27:19.1; 69. Cory Greczyn 27:31.1; 80. Ian Ellis 27:37.2; 86. Ryan Florkiewicz 27:41.6.

ECAC Championship Team Standings (University Division)
1. Marist 85; 2. UAlbany 119; 3. Towson 137; 4. Binghamton 147; 5. Sacred Heart 188; 6. New Hampshire 199; 7. Loyola 206; 8. Rider 208; 9. Monmouth 217; 10. Fordham 233; 11. George Mason 297; T-12. Mansfield 342; T-12. Holy Cross 342; 14. Seton Hall 378; 15. Fairfield 384; 16. Colgate 389; 17. VCU 408; 18. St. John's 411; 19. Hofstra 512; 20. Siena 543.

Individual Champion: Brence Edwards, Mansfield, 17:25.0.
UAlbany Finishers: 11. Miranda McConnell 18:27.5; 13. Ada Lauterbach 18:30.2; 14. Jenn Pierson 18:36.2; 25. Brianna Service 18:56.4; 59. Melissa Del Rosario 19:35.9; 68. Maureen Nweke 19:45.5; 98. Ally Panos 20:04.4; 145. Zuliana Fontanez 21:02.1; 164. Roxanne Wegman 21:28.5.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Men's Basketball Falls to Detroit, 66-54, on Second Day of 2K Sports Classic at SEFCU Arena

Albany, N.Y. - Xavier Keeling scored 21 points and Eli Holman added 20 points and 14 rebounds in leading Detroit to a 66-54 victory over UAlbany on the second day of the 2K Sports Classic, benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, Albany Sub-Regional at SEFCU Arena. Robert Morris posted a 107-76 win against Alcorn State in the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Detroit (3-1) reversed a 16-15 deficit in the opening half by reeling off 18 of the game's next 21 points. Keeling hit a slam dunk to put his team in front following Woody Payne's steal. Payne added two free throws and jumper for a five-point cushion. The Titans later ended the outburst when Keeling and Thomas Kennedy each made a pair of foul shots for a commanding 34-19 advantage.

UAlbany (2-3) regrouped to cut that lead in half by the intermission. Logan Aronhalt, a redshirt freshman, canned a three-pointer and Scotty McRae scored after gaining an offensive rebound to bring the margin under double figures. Detroit settled for a 40-33 halftime lead.

In the second half, Jake Lindfors, a redshirt freshman who had a career game with eight points and seven rebounds, split two free throws to get his team within 40-36. Still clinging to a six-point margin midway through the period, the Titans pulled away with seven unanswered. Keeling, who made 10-of-11 from the line, made two free throws. Holman, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound transfer from Indiana University, later put back Payne's missed layup. Payne hit another from the charity stripe for a 54-41 lead.

The Titans, who held their opponent to 30.4-percent shooting after the break, led by as much as 19 with just under five minutes remaining. Payne finished with 10 points, five assists and four steals.

"We had defensive intensity," said Detroit coach Ray McCallum, who is in his second season after previously guided the Ball State and Houston programd. "They run great sets and turn you over. We made them go to their second and third option with constant pressure. Our perimeter defense was good."

Tim Ambrose was UAlbany's lone player in twin figures with 12 points. Mike Johnson and Will Harris added nine and seven points, respectively. Both teams were under the 40-percent mark from the field.

"We struggled to get the ball in the basket and went through a seven- or eight-minute drought in the second half," explained UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team also had 20 turnovers. "We lost to a talented team. (Woody) Payne is a good defensive guard. They were physical with (Will) Harris and (Tim) Ambrose and denied them the ball."

The 2K Sports Classic Sub-Regional concludes on Sunday with Detroit meeting Alcorn State at 2:30 p.m., followed by UAlbany and Robert Morris.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Falls in America East Conference Championship Match

Albany, N.Y. - Most Outstanding Player Lindsey Mueller recorded a double-double with 45 assists and 10 digs to lead Binghamton to the 2009 America East Conference Championship title, defeating UAlbany, 3-1, at University Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats won with set scores of 25-19, 27-25, 12-25 and 25-19, to claim their second championship title.

The teams played even to start the match, before Binghamton went on a 5-0 run to build up an 11-5 advantage. UAlbany battled back to pull within 15-12 on a kill by Teresa Coppiellie, but Binghamton continued to roll behind the powerful hitting of Anna Lejina and Michelle McDonough, who finished with seven and six kills, respectively, in the set. Sandra DeVito and McDonough served for four combined points before UAlbany attempted to rally behind Coppiellie's service game. Back-to-back kills by Hillary White brought the Great Danes back within 24-17, while consecutive service aces on set point kept UAlbany alive. However, a service error ended the set in Binghamton's favor.

Coppiellie, who was named to the all-championship team, continued her strong play in the second set, getting a kill to tie the match at 1-1, and then serving for five straight points to give the Great Danes a 6-1 advantage. Binghamton battled back, pulling to within 12-10, and then tying the set at 14-14 on a UAlbany attack error. The Bearcats followed with a combined block by DeVito and Dawn Lammert and a kill by McDonough to take a 16-14 lead. UAlbany rallied to tie the match for a second time at 17-17 with a kill by Coppiellie and then took a one-point lead with a block by Casey Wright and Kalyn Mostert. UAlbany rallied to set point at 24-22 on a Sourbeer kill, but the Bearcats would not fold, tying the match and getting set point of their own on a Great Dane attack error. Sourbeer smashed another kill to set the score at 25-25, but McDonough and Lejina recorded consecutive kills to claim the set win in extra points.

UAlbany would not go down without a fight, taking the third set behind Coppiellie's impressive service game. After Lejina tied the set at 9-9, Coppiellie recorded a kill to give serve back to the Great Danes. The junior outside hitter served for 12 straight points, putting UAlbany ahead 22-9 before Binghamton ended the run with a kill from DeVito. The teams exchanged points, with UAlbany getting set points at 24-11 on a Sourbeer kill. McDonough recorded a kill of her own to keep Binghamton alive, but a ball handling error on the Bearcats gave UAlbany the third set victory.

UAlbany would attempt to recreate its 2006 championship run by coming back from an 0-2 deficit, but would come up short in the fourth set. The teams played evenly matched in the early going, with UAlbany holding a slight lead before Mueller tied the score at 9-9 with a service ace. Mueller served for four straight points to put the Bearcats ahead, 14-10, before White recorded a kill to take over serve. White then served for four consecutive points to put the Great Danes ahead, 15-14, before McDonough ended the rally with a kill. A Mueller block tied the set at 17-17, but Wright recorded a kill to put the Great Danes back in front. McDonough recorded a kill and took over serve, capitalizing on two kills from Lejina and a UAlbany attack error to put the Bearcats ahead, 21-18. Coppiellie took an assist from Brooke Stanley to pull within 21-19, but the Great Danes were caught out of rotation to give the ball back to Binghamton. Alex Roland combined with Lejina and Mueller to block the final two UAlbany attacks and seal the win for the Bearcats.

America East Player and Setter of the Year Stanley was named to the all-tournament team for the third straight season after finishing with 41 assists and 12 digs. She also recorded four kills and a team-high .364 hitting percentage. Coppiellie also recorded a double-double in her all-tournament team worthy effort, finishing with a team-high 14 kills and 15 digs along with a career-best six service aces.

Lejina and McDonough were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts, recorded 22 and 21 kills, respectively. Lejina led the team with a .362 hitting percentage, while McDonough recorded a double-double with 10 digs. Binghamton (15-15) earns the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament and will find out its first-round match up during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, Nov. 29.

UAlbany (21-9) will conclude its season on Saturday, Nov. 28, at home against American.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Derrek Tartt Provides Spark in Basketball's 71-55 Victory on First Day of 2K Sports Classic - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - Will Harris scored 15 points and Derrek Tartt came off the bench to add 13 as UAlbany defeated Alcorn State, 71-55, on the first day of the 2K Sports Classic, benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, Albany Sub-Regional on Friday, Nov. 20 at SEFCU Arena. In the first game of the doubleheader, Detroit upended Robert Morris, 71-59.

UAlbany (2-2) led 36-28 at halftime, but then ripped off seven unanswered to begin the final period. Jake Lindfors, a redshirt freshman, made a reverse layup off a high-low feed, before Mike Johnson scored on the left baseline. Harris, who made 6-of-8 from the floor, finished off a fastbreak with a slam dunk for a 15-point advantage.

The Great Danes, who were coming off their first victory of season four days earlier, stretched out to a 49-31 margin when Blake Metcalf converted an offensive rebound. The 6-foot-9 freshman had six points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots in a reserve role.

Alcorn State (0-4) would regroup and cut into the lead over the next six minutes. Jonathan Boyd, who led all scorers with 16 points and made four 3-point shots, hit drive on the right baseline in transition and later canned a three-point field goal from the right wing off a screen to slice the deficit to 56-48.

UAlbany's Harris answered with a three-pointer from the top of the arc. Still leading 61-52, the Great Danes finally sealed the verdict with eight consecutive points. Brett Gifford sank a 12-foot jumper and Johnson made a layup following a steal. Scotty McRae, who totaled seven points and six rebounds, hit a slam dunk from a driving Tim Ambrose and made two foul shots for a 69-52 lead with 3:00 remaining.

"We are not in rhythm as a team right now," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, who was pleased with the win but not happy with his team's 21 turnovers. "I wanted to get guys some time and play the freshmen. We are not going to win any style points, but I think we have the pieces to get ready for conference play."

In the first half, the Great Danes led by as much as 11 points midway through the period after freshman guard Mike Black nailed a long-range jumper. The Braves would eventually close within 31-28 as Ian Francis connected on a jump hook on the right baseline. Tartt, a freshman guard who made 4-of-5 from the field, made a three-pointer and Logan Aronhalt delivered on a dunk in transition to end the period.

"We have to play three days, so we need to take care of our bodies and stay hydrated," explained Harris, whose team meets Detroit on Saturday and Robert Morris on Sunday in this regional tournament. "Our young guys come to practice every day and this just proves that practice pays off."

Brandon Rogers was the only other Alcorn State player in double figures with 10 points. UAlbany's Ambrose had eight points, six rebounds and a career-high seven assists.

"I was just looking to attack and be aggressive," offered Tartt, who netted 11 of his scoring total in the opening half. "I took shots that were open, but I still have to play better on defense."


2K Sports Classic, Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer
Albany Sub-Regional, SEFCU Arena

Saturday, Nov. 21
Alcorn State vs. Robert Morris, 4:30 p.m.
UAlbany vs. Detroit, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 22
Alcorn State vs. Detroit, 2:30 p.m.
UAlbany vs. Robert Morris, 5:00 p.m.



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information