University of Albany Women's Basketball Records Second Straight Win With 49-43 Defeat of St. Francis - UAlbany Sports 2010

Brooklyn, N.Y. - Julie Forster recorded her second straight double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead UAlbany to a 49-43 win over St. Francis in non-conference women's basketball action on Tuesday evening at the Pope Physical Education Center. It is the first time the Great Danes have opened a season with two straight wins since the 1999-2000 inaugural Division I season.

In the first half, the Terriers built up a 15-11 lead behind three 3-pointers by Amber Lau, who finished with a team-high 11 points, before the seven minute mark. Julie Forster scored back-to-back baskets to pull within 15-13, but Lau responded with a lay up to put St. Francis back up by four points. The Terriers then took a 20-13 advantage on a trey from Autumn Lau, just before the four-minute media timeout.

Felicia Johnson pulled UAlbany back within five, as she recorded one of her two first-half steals and converted a fast-break lay up on the other end of the court. A conventional three-point play by Ebone Henry with just under two minutes left in the first half pulled UAlbany to within 20-19 and forced the Terriers to take a time out. St. Francis regrouped and hit a late jumper, but then committed a turnover to put the ball back in the Great Danes' hands as time was winding down. Forster got fouled under the basket and converted the first of her one-and-one, then scored two of her 15 first-half points in the lane as time expired to put UAlbany up, 23-22, at the halftime break.

The Great Danes came out of the locker room firing, outscoring the Terriers 7-3 in the first five minutes of the second half. However, St. Francis took a 33-32 lead after a 10-2 run, when Stefanie Bingham connected on two foul shots at 12:14. The Great Danes ended the run and took a three-point advantage on back-to-back baskets by Keyana Williams and Henry that put UAlbany on top, 36-33 with 11:30 left to play.

The Great Danes continued to build an advantage, getting up 43-36 on a 3-pointer by Johnson with 6:19 on the clock. St. Francis (0-2) mounted a quick comeback, however, getting back-to-back baskets from beyond the arc by Kim Snauweart and Bingham, pulling back within one, 43-42, with just over five minutes left to play. Henry sunk a trey and the UAlbany defense forced the Terriers to commit one of their 27 turnovers to regain control. Leading, 47-43, with 1:05 left to play, UAlbany committed an offensive foul to give St. Francis the opportunity to rally. The Great Danes defense held strong, and Henry converted two free throws in the waning seconds to seal the UAlbany victory.

"I am very happy for the ladies," said UAlbany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, whose team grabbed 36 rebounds in the game. "They are working hard and have earned everything so far. They worked really hard on defense and rebounded the ball."

UAlbany (2-0) also got a double-double from Henry, who finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. As a team, the Great Danes recorded eight steals and shot .315 from the floor. UAlbany will return to action on Friday, visiting Manhattan for a 7 p.m. contest.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information