Tim Ambrose Scores Go-Ahead Basket In University of Albany's Win Over Central Connecticut State - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Tim Ambrose scored 21 points and the go-ahead basket with eight seconds remaining in leading UAlbany to a 64-63 victory over Central Connecticut State on Saturday, Dec. 11 at SEFCU Arena. The non-conference series went down to the wire for the fourth straight season, including two overtime decisions.

Central Connecticut State (4-5) trailed by as much as 18 points in the final period, and was still behind 53-36 with 9:46 to play before starting its comeback. Robby Ptacek ignited a 14-1 outburst by canning a three-point from the right wing and making an 18-footer from the circle. Ken Horton, a 6-foot-6 junior who missed all of last season with an injury, brought his team within a basket with a tip-in of Shemik Thompson's miss in the lane.

Ptacek, who had 18 of his 26 points after the break, put his team ahead, 58-57 on a long-range shot from the right wing. Horton, who had 15 points and nine rebounds, connected a driving one-hander from the right side for a three-point lead.

After UAlbany's John Puk split a pair of free throws, Ambrose stole De'Angelo Speech's errant pass and hit a layup to draw his team even at 60 apiece. Following another Blue Devil turnover, Ambrose made a 12-foot jumper from left of the lane to regain the lead. Puk then drew a charging call on Ptacek that led to Ralph Watts making both ends of a one-and-one from the line with 4.6 seconds left. CCSU's Thompson canned a three-pointer at the end.

"They did a good job of cranking up the pressure," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team dropped a 70-68 overtime decision at Central Conn. State last year. "They went small and played (Robby) Ptacek at the small forward and that gave us some problems. But we found a way to win. This could have been demoralizing."

The Great Danes, who shot 51.7 percent from the field in the first half, had an early 11-9 lead, but then ripped off 10 unanswered. Ambrose, a 6-foot senior, made consecutive baskets, including a bank shot from the right off the dribble. Mike Black, who had 15 points, and Ambrose would add back-to-back three-pointers.

Still leading 23-14 after the Blue Devils' Horton made a turnaround bank, UAlbany (5-6) pushed the lead back to double figures. Logan Aronhalt converted a fastbreak layup, before Black connected on a drive from the top of the arc. Luke Devlin's three-pointer from the top of the arc provided his team with a 30-17 advantage and his team would take a 15-point cushion to the intermission.

"They denied the lanes and I had to make a play on my own," said Ambrose, who described the go-ahead basket and added five assists, five rebounds and four steals to his scoring total. "We fought back and I was lucky enough to get a key steal. That was a great one to get at home."

Paw Prints: UAlbany and Central Connecticut State have played four consecutive nail-biters ... the Great Danes have won two one-point decisions at SEFCU Arena and each team has won in overtime during that span ... UAlbany snapped an eight-game losing streak at home and last won in its facility on Jan. 13, 2010 ... Central Conn. State was coming off last Tuesday's thrilling 63-61 loss at highly-regarded Dayton ... Tim Ambrose scored 20-plus for the 18th time as a collegian and has reached twin figures in all 11 games this season ... freshman Luke Devlin grabbed a career-best 11 rebounds ... redshirt freshman John Puk tied career-highs in points (7) and blocked shots (4).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information