University of Albany Rallies for 63-59 Victory Over Crosstown-Rival Siena; First Series Win Since 2006 - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Julie Forster had 14 points and 11 rebounds and scored the go-ahead basket, as UAlbany rallied for a 63-59 victory over Siena on Saturday at the Times Union Center. The Great Danes won for the second time in eight meetings since both programs have competed at the Division I level.

Siena (1-4) took a 47-44 lead with Cristina Centeno drilled a three-point field goal from the left wing. The Saints later pushed out to a 55-48 advantage when Serena Moore made a turnaround on the left baseline and hit a driving one-hander that beat the shot clock. Moore finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

UAlbany (6-1) clawed its way back into the fray as Felicia Johnson and Callaway made consecutive 3-pointers. The Great Danes went ahead, 59-58, on Callaway's three-pointer from the right corner that bounced on the rim and went though the net. Moore tied the contest by splitting a pair of threw throws. Forster put her club in front with an offensive rebound basket. After Siena's Missy Ramsey missed in the lane as she knifed between two defenders, Ebone Henry sealed the comeback by making two foul shots with 3.2 seconds remaining.

Siena took a 31-28 lead to the locker room in a first half that produced several runs by both teams. The Saints opened with the first eight points, as Cathy Cockrum, who had 14 points, made a turnaround bank shot and a foul-line jumper. UAlbany closed the gap to 14-12 when Callaway sank two free throws.

The Saints, who shot 52.2 percent from the field in the period, went on an 11-2 spurt by making three long-range jumpers in that outburst. Allison Mullings and Ramsey canned back-to-back three-pointers at the start. The Great Danes, who trailed by as much as 11 in the half, reeled off eight straight points to get within 27-26. Johnson made a 3-pointer from left of the key and another three-point play when she was fouled on a driving layup. Forster's follow shot after a steal completed the run.

"We ran and executed plays," said UAlbany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, whose team out-rebounded the Saints, 39-34, including a 17-8 advantage in offensive boards. "Our gameplan was to play harder, and those offensive rebounds are playing harder. We made the hustle plays, that's what we have to do every game. This team has the do-not-quit attitude in them."

Johnson and Henry each had 16 points for the Great Danes, who last won in the Capital Region series in 2006 and lost in overtime one year ago. Callaway added 13 points.

"This win reflects on the character of this team," said Johnson, who led the Great Danes to the win coming off the team's first loss of the season on Dec. 1. "This team is not going to quit. We are going to keep fighting and we are not going to lose."



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information