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