University of Albany Mike Black Nets Career-High 26 Points in Basketball's 81-77 Overtime Win at Maine to End Regular Season - UAlbany Sports 2011

Orono, Maine - Mike Black scored a career-high 26 points and made a pair of three-point field goals in overtime, as UAlbany rallied for an 81-77 America East Conference victory over Maine on Sunday, Feb. 27 in the regular-season finale for both teams at Alfond Sports Arena. The two teams finished in a tie for third place in the league standings.

UAlbany (16-15, AE 9-7) trailed 65-61 with less than one minute remaining. Black, a sophomore guard, canned a three-pointer from left of the key off Luke Devlin's screen. After Maine's Gerald McLemore made one of two free throws, Ralph Watts converted a slam dunk on the right baseline to draw the Great Danes even at 66 apiece. Malachi Peay hit the front of the rim on a runner in the lane at the buzzer.

In the extra period, UAlbany trailed 68-66 before rattling off seven straight. Tim Ambrose, who had 14 points, put back a missed jumper to give his squad the lead. Black nailed a long-range jumper off the dribble from right of the key for a five-point margin. Logan Aronhalt later one-handed an offensive rebound and push the ball out in one motion to Black, who buried a 3-pointer from the top of the arc for a 76-70 cushion. UAlbany held on to its fourth win a row by making five of six free throws.

"We were sleepwalking in the first half," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team owns its highest win total since the 2006-07 campaign. "But we really came out and made plays in the second half. I can't say enough about the way Mike Black played. It's a great way to end the season and now we have some momentum going into the conference tournament."

In the first half, Maine (15-14, AE 9-7) shot 60 percent from the field en route to a 43-33 lead at the break. The Great Danes leaped to a 15-6 advantage when Ambrose and Aronhalt sank back-to-back three-point field goals. But the Black Bears erased that deficit with 15 unanswered. Terrance Mitchell, one of four seniors playing in his regular-season home game, drilled four 3-pointers, all from the right wing, during that outburst. Sean McNally (13 points) scored in transition and Andrew Rogers converted a drive from the top of the key to end the run.

UAlbany was still within striking distance when Blake Metcalf made one of two free throws to close the gap to 29-24. However, the Black Bears would push their advantage to double figures as Troy Barnies hit a jumper from the foul line before driving into the lane to feed Alasdair Fraser for a layup.

The Great Danes, who own their longest win streak in more than two years, trailed by 12 early in the second half before starting a comeback. Black, who made 9-of-16 from the floor and 5-of-7 from the three-point arc, delivered two free throws to get his team within 46-44. Maine looked to be back in control with a string of nine straight points

However, Watts, who matched a career-best with 10 points off the bench, made two 3-pointers in a stretch that tighten the contest again. Black would connect on a reverse layup that eventually tied the conference clash at 60 apiece, but McLemore, who had 15 points, immediately regained the lead with a triple from the left corner.

Barnies and Mitchell finished with 15 and 14 points, respectively, for the Black Bears, who won a 66-64 decision at SEFCU Arena on Jan. 12. Aronhalt was one of five Great Danes in double figures with 17 points. Devlin, who needed three stitches to close a cut on his head in the opening half, added 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Paw Prints: UAlbany (16-15) has won four in a row for the first time since a string of five straight wins, from Nov. 19-Dec. 1, 2008 ... the Great Danes have won at least 15 games in five of the last six seasons ... UAlbany owns its most conference victories since 2007-08 ... the Great Danes have played in 13 games decided by four points or less this year ... UAlbany also split four overtime games ... freshman Luke Devlin recorded his sixth career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds ... Blake Metcalf grabbed a career-best 12 rebounds, his third time in twin figures as a collegian ... Ralph Watts also had 10 points against Binghamton on Jan. 20 ... UAlbany ended a three-game skid in the Maine series and avenged a two-point loss earlier this season ... UAlbany will be the No. 4 seed for upcoming America East Conference Championship and will meet Stony Brook on Saturday, March 5 in the quarterfinals at 12 noon ... Stony Brook ended the regular season with a 67-42 home win against Binghamton.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Tennis Battles Crosstown-Rival Siena, Goes 5-4, in Day Matches

Albany, N.Y. - UAlbany swept all three doubles matches, and Siena won four of six singles matches.

Laine Mackey and Aubrey Brooks were victorious in their respective singles matches. Mackey, at the No. 2 position, defeated Siena's Danielle Crill, 6-3, 6-1, while Brooks recorded a 6-2, 6-3 defeat of Jessica Asselin at the fourth singles position.

Brooks teamed up with Susan Ma for an 8-6 win over Jasleen Sandhu and Nicole Ross at the No. 1 doubles spot. Mackey and Melissa Coughlin recorded a 9-8 (6) victory over Carly Holloway and Crill, while Sarah Iannone and Rachel Drake completed the Great Danes' sweep of doubles with a 9-8 (5) win over Elora Benfer and Britney Filip at the third position.

UAlbany will return to action on Saturday, March 5 at Massachusetts.

1. Ma/Brooks (UA) def. Sandhu/Ross (SC) 8-6
2. Mackey/Coughlin (UA) def. Holloway/Crill (SC) 9-8 (6)
3. Iannone/Drake (UA) def. Benfer/Britney Filip (SC) 9-8 (5)

1. Jasleen Sandhu (SC) def. Susan Ma (UA) 6-4, 7-6 (2)
2. Laine Mackey (UA) def. Danielle Crill (SC) 6-3, 6-1
3. Carly Holloway (SC) def. Sarah Iannone (UA) 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
4. Aubrey Brooks (UA) def. Jessica Asselin (SC) 6-1, 6-3
5. Nicole Ross (SC) def. Melissa Coughlin (UA), 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
6. Elora Benfer (SC) def. Rachel Drake (UA) 6-1, 6-3

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Defeats #18 Nationally-Ranked Penn State; Nikki Branchini Has Three Goals in 8-7 Victory - UAlbany Sports 2011

University Park, Pa. - Sophomore Rachael Burek scored with six minutes and 29 seconds remaining, as UAlbany upset No. 16 Penn State, 8-7, on Saturday, Feb. 26 at Holuba Hall, the school's indoor football practice facility. The Nittany Lions were ranked by the IWLCA coaches and rated No. 18 in the deBeer media poll.

Penn State (0-2) reversed a 6-5 deficit midway through the final period with a pair of goals. Lizzy Carney, a freshman midfielder, tied the contest with 14:23 remaining, before Jackie Eastman put her team in front just over a minute later. The go-ahead goal was set up by midfielder Theresa Zichelli's caused turnover and ground ball pickup.

UAlbany (2-0) drew even at seven apiece as senior attacker Jodi Battaglia converted Nikki Branchini's feed with 8:35 to play. The Great Danes regained the lead when Taylor Frink carried a ground ball into the zone. Battaglia found Burek in the middle and the UAlbany midfielder converted. Burek had an opportunity to give her team a two-goal advantage two minutes, but hit the post with a shot.

"The team showed a lot of resolve when they were down, especially the way they came back," said UAlbany's John Battaglino, who is in his first season as head coach. "We were able to put away shots when it counted and we had people go into the game who were able to keep the play constant."

The Nittany Lions, who opened their season with a loss to top-ranked Maryland on Feb. 20, led 4-2 in the first half when Laura Lesnick found the net off a pass from Mackenzie Cyr. UAlbany regrouped to tie the contest by halftime. Nikki Branchini scored two of her three goals in that span. She finished with a career-high four points.

Freshman goalkeeper Anna Berman made seven saves for the Great Danes, who defeated a national top-20 program for just the second time in their Division I history. Frink and Battaglia each added one goal and one assist. Penn State's Elaine Welch scored twice.

"We never gave up and everyone had to do their job 100 percent," said Branchini, last season's America East Conference player of the year. "It was a great opportunity for us beat a quality team early in the season and we took advantage of the situation."

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UAlbany 8, #16 Penn State 7

UAlbany - Scoring: Nikki Branchini 3-1, Taylor Frink 1-1, Jodi Battaglia 1-1, Rachael Burek 1-0, Allie Phelan 1-0, Michelle Primomo 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Anna Berman (60:00, 7 saves, 7 GA).

Penn State - Scoring: Elaine Welch 2-0, Mackenzie Cyr 1-1, Jen Steadman 1-1, Jackie Eastman 1-0, Laura Lesnick 1-0, Lizzy Carney 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Dana Cahill (60:00, 9 saves, 8 GA).

Paw Prints: UAlbany defeated its second national top-20 team in the program's Division I history ... the Great Danes edged No. 13 New Hampshire, 16-15, in overtime on April 30, 2009 ... UAlbany is 23-23 in games decided by two goals or less at the Division I level ... the Great Danes last opened with two wins in the 2006 campaign ... Penn State was picked third in the American Lacrosse Conference preseason poll behind Northwestern and Vanderbilt ... Nikki Branchini equaled a career-high with three goals ... the senior also scored three times against Longwood (March 30, 2008) and Hofstra (March 1, 2010).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Defeats Maine, 66-60, on Senior Day; Great Danes Have Most Wins Since 1996-97 - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Senior Kim Clements recorded nine points and six rebounds in her final home game in a UAlbany uniform to lead the Great Danes to a 66-60 win over Maine in America East Conference women's basketball action on Saturday afternoon at SEFCU Arena. Clements was named the America East player of the game for her efforts.

UAlbany jumped out to an early six-point lead, 10-4, at 15:51, as Julie Forster recorded a steal that led to a fast-break layup by Ebone Henry. Maine cut the lead back to three, 12-9, on a conventional 3-point play by Amber Smith with just under 13 minutes left to play, but the Great Danes continued to build up their advantage. A jumper by Melia Basavand put UAlbany up by eight, 26-18, with 3:19 on the clock and Felicia Johnson added two on the next possession to give the Great Danes their first double-digit lead of the game, 28-18, with just over three minutes to play. UAlbany outscored the Black Bears, 7-2, in the final three minutes to hold a 35-20 advantage heading into the locker rooms.

Maine came out of the halftime break and outscored the Great Danes 12-3 to start the half and pull within 38-32 on a 3-pointer by Tanna Ross at 13:45. Smith and Brittany Williams drained treys on consecutive Black Bear possessions as Maine pulled within five, 43-38, with 12:06 left to play. The Black Bears, who shot 54.5-percent from long range in the game, would get within five later in the half on a free throw by Ross, but that would be as close as they could get.

UAlbany used strong free throw shooting down the stretch from Clements and Cassandra Callaway to seal the win. A Clements shot from the stripe with 45 ticks left on the clock gave UAlbany an 11-point lead, 65-54, but Ashleigh Roberts responded with two shots of her own to pull back within nine. Roberts and Katelyn Vanderhoff both scored late baskets for the Black Bears, but the Great Danes were able to hold on for the six-point win.

Callaway, who was one of three UAlbany players in double-figure scoring with a team-high 15 points, went 5-of-6 from the line and also recorded three steals and three assists. Henry added 14 points and nine rebounds, while Forster recorded her 11th double-double of the season with a 10-point, 10-rebound performance. Johnson, who was also honored by team in a pre-game ceremony along with Clements and Basavand, totaled eight points to go along with five assists and four steals.

Williams scored a game-high 16 points for Maine (4-24, AE 2-14) and was named the Black Bears' player of the game. Roberts added 11 points and five boards for Maine, while Smith totaled 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the floor.

UAlbany (16-13, AE 9-7) will be the fifth seed in the America East Conference Tournament next week, after winning the most games since 1996-97. The Great Danes will take on fourth-seeded Hartford on Friday, March 4 at 8:15 p.m. at Chase Arena in West Hartford, Conn.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Tiffany Sprenkels Qualifies for ECAC Triple Jump at Armory Collegiate Challenge - UAlbany Sports 2011

New York, N.Y. - University at Albany's Tiffany Sprenkels qualified for the ECAC championship meet in the women's triple jump for the second consecutive year at the Armory Collegiate Challenge, held at the Armory Track & Field Center on Friday, Feb. 25.

Sprenkels, a senior from Squamash, British Columbia, leaped 39-feet, 0.50-inches to finish fourth in the competition. She will join her teammates at the ECAC Championship on March 5-6 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Mass. Wagner's Tiffany Dawson won the event with a mark of 39-10.

UAlbany's Christen Griffin placed second in the 60-meter dash with a season-best time of 7.73 seconds. She finished fifth at last weekend's America East Conference championship. Ashley Mahlmeister tied her best time of the winter in the 60-meter hurdles and was fourth in 8.88 seconds.

In the men's competition, Kareem Morris posted his second-best leap of the year with a mark of 22-feet, 11-inches in the long jump. Morris, a freshman who finished fourth in the event, had previously met the qualifying standard for next week's IC4A championship to be conducted at Boston University's Track and Tennis Center. Kadeem Howell and Jordan Pollock were third and fourth, respectively, in the triple jump. Howell jumped 45-6.25, while Pollock's best mark was 45-3.75. Elijah Pardo was fifth in the 60-hurdles (8.35), while Greg Kiley took sixth in the mile run (4:15.10).

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Armory Collegiate Challenge (New York, N.Y.)

Women's 60-Meter Hurdles - 1. Jazmin Waller (Long Island), 8.67; 2. Torrie Saunders (Long Island), 8.67; 3. Jamie Thompson (Rowan), 8.84; 4. Ashley Mahlmeister (UAlbany), 8.88; 5. Jade Wilson (Temple), 8.92.

Women's 60-Meter Dash - 1. Jordan Simmons (James Madison), 7.65; 2. Christen Griffin (UAlbany), 7.73; 3. Amber Mitchell (Long Island), 7.74; Hafsatu Kamara (Coppin State), 7.77; 5. Chantelle Bethea (Winston-Salem), 7.84.

Women's Triple Jump - 1. Tiffany Dawson (Wagner), 39-10.00; 2. Christina Epps (Coppin State), 39-08.00; 3. Jessie Gains (Long Island), 39-04.50; 4. Tiffany Sprenkels (UAlbany), 39-00.50; 5. Jaclyn Smith (James Madison), 38-08.75.

Men's 60-Meter Hurdles - 1. David Aristil (South Florida0, 7.98; 2. Kyle Gilroy (College of New Jersey), 8.16); 3. David Hightower (Rider), 8.25; 4. Jesse Fuca (Binghamton), 8.33; 5. Elijah Pardo (UAlbany), 8.35.

Men's Long Jump - 1. Brian Richards (Long Island), 23-11.75; 2. Miles Dryden (Temple), 23-02.75; 3. Aron Kurzinski (Seton Hall), 22-11.75: 4. Kareem Morris (UAlbany), 22-11.00; 5. Eliot Knotts (Army Prep), 22-01.75.

Men's Triple Jump - 1. Isaaic Patterson (Ramapo), 46-05.25; 2. Senghor Kamguia (Fairleigh Dickinson), 45-06.50; 3. Kadeem Howell (UAlbany), 45-06.25; 4. Jordan Pollock (UAlbany), 45-03.75; 5. Steve D'Aiutolo (College of New Jersey), 45-02.50.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Softball Earns Split on First Day of Florida Tourney in 10-Inning Win Over Eastern Michigan - UAlbany Sports 2011

Fort Myers, Fla. - Jessica Bergin knocked a hit through the left side for a walk-off, one-run single to lead UAlbany to a 5-4, 10-inning victory over Eastern Michigan on the first day of play at the FGCU Softball Complex, kicking off the Moe's Blue and Green Invitational. The Great Danes dropped a 2-1 decision to Iowa earlier on Friday, Feb. 25.

In the victory over Eastern Michigan, UAlbany scored three runs in the bottom of the first on three walks and two hit batters, with Bergin and Kylie Apostolina earning RBIs. Kayla Cilley drove in the final run of the inning on a sacrifice fly that scored Mason. A solo homerun by Mason in the third inning increased the Great Dane lead to four.

Sarah Gerber started Easter Michigan's late rally with a double to left field and advanced to third on a fielder's choice. Russ connected on a gapper to left-center allowing Gerber to come around and score. EMU (1-1) plated another run off of a Lauren Delapaz RBI double, locking the score at 4-2. The Eagles tied the game in the top of the seventh on a two-run double by Nellie Coquillard, sending the game to extra innings.

The teams played two scoreless frames before Bergin's heroics in the bottom of the 10th sealed up UAlbany's first win of the season. Brittany MacFawn tossed seven innings for the Great Danes, fanning seven, while Brittany Schweiger tossed the final three frames in relief, striking out one without allowing a hit.

Earlier in the day, Iowa senior Chelsea Carmody scored the winning run for the Hawkeyes after singled through the right side to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. After moving up to second on a Jenny Schuelke fly ball to left, the Carmody scored the game-winning run on two UAlbany wild pitches.

Iowa freshman Nikki Gentile provided the early offense for Iowa, connecting on a second-inning home run to give the Hawkeyes the 1-0 advantage. UAlbany tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth, as Andrianna Walraven led off with a double to right. A sacrifice bunt by Melissa Herndon put Walraven in scoring position, and she scored the tying run on a Bergin single.

Allie Weiser tossed a complete-game for UAlbany (1-1), striking out two and scattering four hits. Kayla Massey earned the win for Iowa (4-4), despite allowing seven UAlbany hits with just one strikeout. The Great Danes will continue play at the Moe's Blue and Green Invite on Saturday, taking on Southern Illinois and St. Francis (Pa.).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany M Basketball Posts Third Straight Win in 83-67 Triumph Over UMBC - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Logan Aronhalt had 19 points to pace four players in double figures, as UAlbany posted its third consecutive win in an 83-67 triumph over UMBC in America East Conference play on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany (15-15, AE 8-7) came out flying at the start by making 10 of its opening 16 field goal attempts en route to a 28-8 lead midway through the period. The Great Danes ripped off 14 straight points for an 18-3 advantage. Aronhalt, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, made a three-pointer from the top of the arc and hit a one-hander on the right baseline. Tim Ambrose sank a turnaround bank in transition and slammed an offensive rebound off a missed shot.

UMBC (5-24, AE 4-12) tried to claw their back into the contest before halftime. Brian Neller made a 15-footer from the right elbow, before a driving Chris De La Rosa found Adrian Satchell for another basket. Justin Fry's left-hander in the lane closed the gap to 41-28, but UAlbany's Billy Allen buried a three-pointer from the right wing.

"We came out with energy and enthusiasm," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team locked up the fourth seed for upcoming America East Conference postseason tournament. "It wanted to send our seniors out on a good note. We have some momentum with the three-game win streak."

The Great Danes built their lead back to 53-32 early in the final period after Luke Devlin, a freshman who had 12 points and six rebounds, made a 3-pointer. UMBC's De La Rosa, who led all scorers with 25 points, keyed a string of eight in a row with back-to-back long-range jumpers. Still leading 53-40, UAlbany pulled away with eight of the game's next nine points. Aronhalt ignited that stretch with a turnaround on the left baseline, an offensive rebound basket and two free throws. Mike Black's jumper handed his team a 20-point advantage.

"I gave all my energy and effort for our seniors," offered Black, whose team is in fourth place and one game behind Maine in the standings. "This is really our first year as a team and we are developing chemistry."

UAlbany's Black finished with 18 points, while Tim Ambrose, a senior playing in his final regular-season home game, totaled 17 points, seven assists, matching his career-best, and seven rebounds. The Great Danes shot a season-best 54.5 percent from the field.

"I was a little emotional but I knew I had a game to play," explained Ambrose, who was honored in a pre-game ceremony along with Billy Allen and Fran Urli. "It's an exciting way to go out in your last game. We made the extra pass and played good defense tonight."

Paw Prints: UAlbany has earned the No. 4 seed for next week's America East Conference Championship ... the Great Danes will play Stony Brook in the quarterfinals on Saturday, March 5 at 12 noon ... UAlbany (15-15) has eight more wins than last year's squad and could tie Maine for third place in the league standings with a win in the regular-season finale ... Tim Ambrose, who is fourth on the all-time scoring list with 1,544 points, Billy Allen and Fran Urli were recognized in a pre-game ceremony on Senior Night ... Allen had three points and four rebounds in his first starting assignment of the season ... Urli, a 6-foot-8 forward, has been injured and unable to play this season ... Mike Black's 18 points were one off his career-high ... the sophomore guard has scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 12th ... Logan Aronhalt reached twin figures for 21st time this year.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany W Lacrosse Defeats Capital Region Opponent Siena, 18-2, in Season Opener - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Taylor Frink and Mel Rorie each scored a career-high five goals in leading UAlbany to an 18-2 non-conference victory over Siena on Wednesday, Feb. 23 in the season opener for both teams at John Fallon Field.

UAlbany (1-0) led 3-0 midway through the opening half after Frink tallied a pair and Amanda Pollock connected on a free-position opportunity. However, the Great Danes' attack exploded to take control with a five-goal run over a four-minute-and-23-second span.

Frink, a senior attacker, started that stretch when she collected a ground ball off a goalkeeper's save and spun to her left shoulder from right of the net. Nikki Branchini and Rorie each had two goals to complete the outburst. Branchini, who earned third-team All-America recognition last year, drove from the top and sent a blast inside the far post. Rorie responded 40 seconds later when she sped in from the right and placed a shot high into the cage. The two seniors gave their squad a commanding 8-0 advantage with goals 26 seconds apart.

The Great Danes, who are coming off their first-ever America East Conference regular-season title and a school-record 13-win campaign, had a 10-goal margin at the intermission. UAlbany pushed out a 14-0 cushion early in the final period. Sophomore Rachael Burek scored twice, including a back-handed shot from right of the crease. Rorie ended that sequence when her shot from the right went off the goalkeeper's stick and across the goal line with 18:58 remaining.

Maggie Deloria got Siena (0-1) on the scoreboard when she converted a free-position attempt. The Saints, who were picked to finish fourth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's preseason poll, added Allie Primo's late goal. Goalkeeper Kristin Concordia stopped 16 shots.

Freshman defender Ariana Parker netted two goals and four caused turnovers and Anna Berman, a freshman goalkeeper, made seven saves for the Great Danes, who opened a Division I schedule at home for just the second time since upgrading in the 1999-2000 campaign. UAlbany has won all 14 meetings against Siena since this Capital Region series began in 1997.

UAlbany 18, Siena 2 (John Fallon Field, Albany, N.Y.)

Siena - Scoring: Allie Primo 1-0, Maggie Deloria 1-0; Goalkeeper: Kristin Concordia (60:00, 16 saves, 18 GA).
UAlbany - Scoring: Taylor Frink 5-0, Mel Rorie 5-0, Rachael Burek 2-0, Nikki Branchini 2-0, Ariana Parker 2-0, Amanda Pollock 1-0, Kathleen Lennon 1-0, Michelle Primomo 0-1, Jodi Battaglia 0-1; Goalkeeper: Anna Berman (60:00, 2 GA, 7 saves).

Paw Prints: UAlbany won its season opener for the third time at the NCAA Division I level ... the Great Danes dropped a 17-14 decision at Hofstra to begin the 2010 schedule ... UAlbany also defeated Siena by an identical 18-2 score in last year's matchup at Siena Turf Field ... John Battaglino, who was promoted to head coach from his associate coach position last August, won his first game as a college mentor ... Taylor Frink and Mel Rorie each reached the 90-point mark as collegians ... Frink has 60 goals and 33 assists ... Rorie, who is seventh on the career goals chart, has 77 goals and 13 assists ... the Great Danes, who received votes in the preseason IWLCA national poll, travel to No. 16 Penn State on Saturday.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Luke Devlin Chosen America East Conference Basketball Rookie of the Week for Fifth Time - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Luke Devlin has been selected America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men's basketball, as announced on Monday, Feb. 21 by the conference office. Devlin, a freshman from Sydney, Australia, was chosen for the fifth time this season.

Devlin, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 9.0 points and 12.0 rebounds in two conference victories, as his team took over sole possession of fourth place in the America East standings. He recorded his fifth career double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds in Sunday's 57-54 win at Binghamton. The Great Danes took the season series for first time since 2005-06. Devlin also pulled down 11 rebounds and scored eight points in a 58-43 victory against Stony Brook on Feb. 14, his team's second win over the Seawolves this winter.

Devlin ranks eighth among the league leaders in rebounding at 6.6 per game, plus is scoring at a 7.0 clip. He has grabbed 10-plus boards on eight occasions this season, including four of his last five starts.

Paw Prints: UAlbany (14-15, AE 7-7) will honor three seniors prior to Wednesday's final home game at SEFCU Arena ... the senior ceremony for Billy Allen, Fran Urli and Tim Ambrose is scheduled to begin at 6:50 p.m. ... Jon Iati (7) and Jamar Wilson (5) are the lone UAlbany players to better or equal Luke Devlin in the number of America East rookie of the week awards earned in a season ... the Great Danes have been involved in 12 games decided by four points or less this year following a 57-54 win at Binghamton ... Logan Aronhalt had 16 points at Binghamton, his 20th time in double figures this winter ... Tim Ambrose climbed past Morrison Teague (1985-89) into fourth place on the program's all-time scoring list with 1,527 career points ... UAlbany has six road wins, its highest total since the 2007-08 campaign ... the Great Danes are seven wins better than last year's squad after 29 games.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Rallies in Final Six Minutes to Record 57-54 Win at Binghamton in America East Play - UAlbany Sports 2011

Vestal, N.Y. - Mike Black scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half as UAlbany rallied over the final six minutes for a 57-54 victory over Binghamton in America East Conference play on Sunday, Feb. 20 before 3,735 fans at the Events Center.

Binghamton (7-20, AE 4-10) led 50-44 after Greer Wright made a pair of free throws. UAlbany (14-15, AE 7-7) closed within 52-51 as Logan Aronhalt made two foul shots. The 6-foot-3 sophomore, who had 16 points, gave his team the lead with 1:54 remaining when he converted Tim Ambrose's inbounds pass.

After Black connected on a drive in the lane for a 55-52 advantage, Wright knifed his to the basket for a dunk. Billy Allen made both ends of a one-and-one opportunity with 12.4 seconds left to regain his team's three-point margin, before the Bearcats' Mahamoud Jabbi misfired on a three-point attempt from the right corner with four seconds to play.

"Binghamton played well and hard and they have so many seniors who scored a lot of points for them," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team held the Bearcats to 26.1-percent shooting after the intermission. "Mike Black was in attack mode in the second half, and Billy Allen made two big free throws. This was a huge win for us."

Wright, a 6-foot-8 senior who had 15 points, twice helped his team build a seven-point cushion in the final period. His steal and slam dunk duplicated his team's halftime margin. He later drilled a deep 3-pointer from the right wing for a 46-39 lead.

The opening half produced a series of runs by both teams. UAlbany reversed a 16-9 deficit with eight unanswered. Tim Ambrose's three-pointer from the right corner put his team ahead. Binghamton later trailed 23-20, but wiped the margin out with a string of nine straight points. Moussa Camara, who had 15 of his 17 points in the half, tallied seven in a row, and ended the run with a 3-pointer. The Bearcats led 35-28 at the break.

Freshman Luke Devlin had 10 points and 13 rebounds, his fifth career double-double. Ambrose was the fourth UAlbany player in double figures with 11, all in the first half.

"Coach (Brown) told me to be ready with about two or three minutes left in the game," Allen explained. "I just knew to be ready. I was a little cold, but those were two free throws that helped secure the lead."

Paw Prints: UAlbany took over sole possession of fourth place in the America East Conference standings ... New Hampshire, Hartford and Stony Brook are tied for fifth ... the Great Danes took both regular-season games from Binghamton for the first time since 2005-06 ... Mike Black scored in double figures for just the second time since Jan. 20th ...Tim Ambrose climbed past Morrison Teague (1985-89) into fourth on the program's career scoring list with 1,527 points ... UAlbany has played in 12 games decided by four points or less this season ... the Great Danes have seven more wins after 29 games than last year's squad.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Kareem Morris Helps Lead University of Albany Men to Sixth Straight America East Indoor Track & Field Championship - UAlbany Sports 2011

Boston, Mass. - University at Albany's Kareem Morris led a group of four individuals who won conference titles on the second day of competition at the America East Conference Men's Indoor Track & Field Championships, held at Boston University's Track and Tennis Center on Saturday, Feb. 19. The Great Danes captured their sixth consecutive indoor championship with 184 points. Binghamton (157) and Boston University (141) were second and third, respectively, in the standings.

Morris, a freshman, became the first UAlbany athlete to win the 200-meter dash in four years by sprinting a career-best 21.74 seconds and placed fourth in the 60-dash. Morris, who bettered his IC4A standard with the performance, was also second in the long jump on the first day with a leap of 22-feet, 11.75-inches. He received the Coaches Award for scoring the most points at the meet.

"We stepped it up and came together," said UAlbany coach Roberto Vives, who expected a close battle with Binghamton and Boston U. "Kareem Morris is an outstanding individual and certainly was a surprise winner in the 200. I am thankful that the student-athletes have bought into our championship philosophy over the year. It's been passed along and there is an expectation to win."

Peter Rowell ran 1:03.40, his top time of the season, to win the 500-meter dash after the junior finished seventh in this event at the conference meet one year ago. Rowell also anchored the third-place 4x400-meter relay to a season-best 3:14.80, earning a place among the IC4A qualifiers. Nick Santos was first in the 800-meter run as he hit the tape in 1:50.96, the fifth-fastest time in program history. Tristan Akong claimed the 60-meter dash crown with a time of 6.88 seconds. UAlbany had six individual champions overall, as Wilfredo de Jesus Elias (weight throw) and Fred Casimo (long jump) recorded victories on Friday.

In addition, Paul Lagno broke his own school record in the 3,000-meters. His time of 8:18.00 was good enough for fourth place. Greg Kiley, who ran the lead-off leg on the winning distance medley relay the previous day, took second in the 1,000-meters. He ran 2:25.83 to qualify for the IC4A meet.

Paw Prints: UAlbany has won eight of the last nine America East Conference indoor championships, including six in a row ... Wilfredo de Jesus Elias, a senior from Arroyo, Puerto Rico, was named the meet's top field performer after winning his third consecutive weight throw competition ... Kareem Morris scored 23 points in three events to win the Coaches Award ... Jordan Pollock placed third in the triple jump and Chris Burke was fourth in the mile run.

America East Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships

MEN - 1. UAlbany 184, 2. Binghamton 157, 3. Boston U. 141, 4. UMBC 107, 5. New Hampshire 84, 6. Maine 62, 7. Vermont 24, 8. Hartford 16, 9. Stony Brook 5.

Individual

Mile Run - 1. Rich Peters (Boston U.), 4:00.98 (conference record); 2. Casey Quaglia (Binghamton), 4:06.43; 3. Tyler Dinnen (New Hampshire), 4:07.16.
60-Meter Hurdles - 1. Trae Proctor (UMBC), 8.19; 2. James Reed (Maine), 8.20; 3. Keith Brown (UMBC), 8.26.
400-Meter Dash - 1. Tewado Latty (Boston U.), 47.28; 2. Joel Senick (Boston U.), 47.41; 3. Cazal Arnett (Binghamton), 47.68.
500-Meter Dash - 1. Peter Rowell (UAlbany), 1:03.40; 2. Joshua Hewitson (UMBC), 1:03.75; 3. Ebube Abara (UAlbany), 1:04.75.
60-Meter Dash - 1. Tristan Akong (UAlbany), 6.88; 2. R.J. Page (Boston U.), 6.92; 3. Jake Rachiele (UAlbany), 6.98.
800-Meter Run - 1. Nick Santos (UAlbany), 1:50.96; 2. Jeff Moreau (Boston U.), 1:52.71; 3. Michael Christmas (UMBC), 1:52.92.
1,000-Meter Run - 1. Erik van Ingen (Binghamton), 2:24.34; 2. Greg Kiley (UAlbany), 2:25.83; 3. Sean Halpin (UAlbany), 2:26.25.
200-Meter Dash - 1. Kareem Morris (UAlbany), 21.74; 2. Joel Senick (Boston U.), 21.75; 3. Andy Haupt (Binghamton), 21.76.
3,000-Meter Run - 1. Riley Masters (Maine), 8:11.90; 2. Jeff Martinez (Binghamton), 8:16.26; 3. Eric Ashe (Boston U.), 8:17.61.
4x800-Meter Relay - 1. Boston U., 7:33.60 (conference record); 2. New Hampshire, 7:37.09; 3. UMBC, 7:42.09.
4x400-Meter Relay - 1. Binghamton, 3:11.58; 2. Boston U., 3:12.94; 3. UAlbany (Alex Petit-Frere, Jonathan Santana, Ebube Abara, Peter Rowell), 3:14.80.
Shot Put - 1. Daniel Withrow (Boston U.), 52-10.00; 2. Cameron Lyle (New Hampshire), 50-03.25; 3. Cameron McDeamon (UMBC), 49-01.75.
High Jump - 1. Matthew Guartente (New Hampshire), 6-08.25; 2. Jeffrey Ramos (Maine), 6-08.25; 3. Momodou Drammeh (UMBC), 6-08.25.
Heptathlon - 1. Keith Onto (UMBC), 5,096 points; 2. Beau Cameron (Vermont), 4,916; 3. Richard Haigh (Boston U.), 4,816.
Triple Jump - 1. Trevor England (Maine), 48-07.25; 2. Aboshioma Obemeata (UMBC), 46-06.25; 3. Jordan Pollock (UAlbany), 46-02.50.

Final America East Conference Track & Field Results - https://admin.xosn.com/attachments1/95126.htm

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Bellon & Fanning Power University of Albany to Successful Defense of America East Indoor Womens' Track & Field Crown - UAlbany Sports 2011

Boston, Mass. - University at Albany's Brianne Bellon and Kathryn Fanning, a pair of freshman, powered UAlbany to a successful defense of its title on Saturday, Feb. 19 at the America East Conference Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships. The two-day event was held at Boston University's Track and Tennis Center. The Great Danes scored 206.5 points, the second-highest total recorded at the conference indoor meet.

Bellon and Fanning each picked up individual championships and led the 4x800-meter relay to victory. Bellon, who received meet's most outstanding rookie award, became the first UAlbany athlete in league history to win the 800-meters by running 2:12.31, her best time of the season and the third-fastest in school annals. Fanning won the 1,000-meter run in 2:53.10, the fourth-best mark in UAlbany history. She is the first Great Dane to finish first in the race since 2007. Bellon and Fanning were joined on the winning relay by Jessica Panos and Jonelle White. The group bettered the ECAC-qualifying standard by nearly 20 seconds in reaching the finish line in 9:05.67.

"Brianne Bellon and Kathryn Fanning are fierce competitors and they set the tone," offered UAlbany coach Roberto Vives, whose team missed the America East team scoring record by less than one point. "They both come from great high school programs and have competed a national-caliber level. We had a number of ECAC qualifiers today and received contributions from everyone."

Kadine Johnson, who won the weight throw on the first day, was second in shot put with a toss of 45-feet, 3-inches. Alli Rogers was edged out at the finish in the 400-meter dash, as she and the winner were both clocked in 56.69 seconds. Sandy Antenor (triple jump) and Jessica Hunter (500-meters) also recorded second-place showings. Antenor went over 40 feet for the third time this winter with a mark of 40-08.75. Hunter, who ran an ECAC-qualifying time of 1:15.26, also led the 4x400-meter relay to a winning performance. Brittany Eveleth, Nyree Richardson, Tierra Chavis and Hunter were clocked in 3:51.88.

Paw Prints: The Great Danes have won consecutive America East Conference indoor championships ... UAlbany's 206.5 points was nearly a conference record, as Boston U. scored 206.83 to win the 2007 America East title ... Roberto Vives and his assistants were named the America East Coaching Staff of the Year ... Brianne Bellon, the meet's top rookie, ran an unofficial 2:11 anchor leg on the winning 4x800 relay ... Christen Griffin had third-place finishes in the 60-hurdles and 200-dash, plus was fifth in the 60-dash.

America East Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships

WOMEN - 1. UAlbany 206.50, 2. Boston U. 119, 3. Maine 112, 4. New Hampshire 99, 5. Vermont 68, 6. UMBC 64.50, 7. Stony Brook 61, 8. Binghamton 40, 9. Hartford 9.

Individual

Mile Run - 1. Lucy Van Dalen (Stony Brook), 4:38.48 (conference record); 2. Corey Conner (Maine), 4:43.37; 3. Olivia Burne (Stony Brook), 4:50.39.
60-Meter Hurdles - 1. Jesse Labreck (Maine), 8.39; 2. Nikko Brady (Boston U.), 8.52; 3. Christen Griffin (UAlbany), 8.70.
400-Meter Dash - 1. Jessica Hennig (Binghamton), 55.69; 2. Alli Rogers (UAlbany), 56.69; 3. Kirsten Jones (UMBC), 56.95.
500-Meter Dash - 1. Megan Donohue (New Hampshire), 1:14.35; 2. Jessica Hunter (UAlbany), 1:15.26; 3. Elia Francis (UAlbany), 1:15.27.
60-Meter Dash - 1. Shelby Walton (Boston U.), 7.64, 2. Cearha Miller (Maine), 7.70; 3. Jodi-Ann Walker (UAlbany), 7.81.
800-Meter Run - 1. Brianna Bellon (UAlbany), 2:12.31; 2. Kaitlin Kwiecien (New Hampshire), 2:12.68; 3. Jonelle White (UAlbany), 2:14.03.
1,000-Meter Run - 1. Kathryn Fanning (UAlbany), 2:53.10; 2. Marisa Guerette (Vermont), 2:55.13; 3. Darcy James (New Hampshire), 2:55.83.
200-Meter Dash - 1. Shelby Walton (Boston U.), 23.87 (conference record); 2. Cearha Miller (Maine), 24.10; 3. Christen Griffin (UAlbany), 24.69.
3,000-Meter Run - 1. Holly Van Dalen (Stony Brook), 9:24.00 (conference record); 2. Annie Keown (Stony Brook), 9:25.79; 3. Katie Matthews (Boston U.), 9:31.94.
4x800-Meter Relay - 1. UAlbany (Jessica Panos, Kathryn Fanning, Jonelle White, Brianne Bellon), 9:05.67; 2. Maine, 9:06.04; 3. Vermont, 9:10.16.
4x400-Meter Relay - 1. UAlbany (Jessica Hunter, Brittany Eveleth, Nyree Richardson, Tierra Chavis), 3:51.88; 2. Maine, 3:52.48; 3. New Hampshire, 3:54.13.
Triple Jump - 1. Jesse Labreck (Maine), 40-10.25; 2. Sandy Antenor (UAlbany), 40-08.75; 3. Camille Quarles (New Hampshire), 40-01.25.
Shot Put - 1. Amanda Deller (UMBC), 47-00.25; 2. Kadine Johnson (UAlbany), 45-03.00; 3. Chelsea Curry (Boston U.), 44-04.00.
High Jump - 1. Allison Barwise (Boston U.), 5-10.00; 2. Jesse Labreck (Maine), 5-10.00; 3. Katherine McGeoghan (Maine), 5-07.00.

Final America East Conference Track & Field Results - https://admin.xosn.com/attachments1/95322.htm

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Univeristy of Albany's Wilfredo de Jesus Elias Wins Third Weight Throw Title on A-East Indoor Meet's First Day - UAlbany Sports 2011

Boston, Mass. - University at Albany's Wilfredo de Jesus Elias won the weight throw for the third consecutive year on the first day of competition at the America East Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships, held at Boston University's Track and Tennis Center on Friday, Feb. 18. In the men's standings, Binghamton has the opening-day lead with 57 points, while the Great Danes are second with 47.

de Jesus Elias threw 64-feet, 10-inches on the first of six attempts to win the event by nearly six feet over New Hampshire's Paul DeTurk. A senior from Arroyo, Puerto Rico, de Jesus Elias is the third conference athlete to win three straight weight throw championships, joining Northeastern's Anders Halvorsen (1989-92) and Boston U.'s Benjamin Gary (1999-01).

UAlbany's Fred Casimo, a senior competing for the first time this season, and Kareem Morris went one-two in the long jump. Casimo reached a distance of 23-feet, 2.50-inches on his fifth attempt to win the competition. Morris posted a career-best mark of 22-10.50. The freshman had a solid first day, as he qualified for Saturday's finals in the 60-meter dash in 6.90 seconds and 200-meters in 21.81. Each time met the IC4A-qualifying standard.

For the third year in a row, UAlbany was a winner in the distance medley relay. The team of Greg Kiley, Peter Rowell, Aaron Lozier and Paul Lagno broke the tape at the finish line in 9:48.80. In addition, Jonathan Santana qualified for the championship races in the 200- and 400-dashes. Santana sprinted the 200 in 21.91 and the 400 in 48.74, both IC4A-qualifying efforts. Tristan Akong had the best 60-dash time and won his preliminary heat in 6.84.


America East Conference Track & Field Championships (First Day)

MEN (after five events) - 1. Binghamton 57, 2. UAlbany 47, 3. New Hampshire 27, 4. UMBC 23, 5. Boston U. 20, 6. Maine 9, 7. Stony Brook 5, 8. Vermont 4, 9. Hartford 3.
Individual

Weight Throw - 1. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias (UAlbany), 64-10.00; 2. Paul DeTurk (New Hampshire), 58-00.50; 3. Cameron McDearmon (UMBC), 55-11.25.
5,000-Meter Run - 1. Erk van Ingen (Binghamton), 14:25.08; 2. Daniel Decrescenzo (New Hampshire), 14:28.75; 3. Jeff Martinez (Binghamton), 14:32.57.
Distance Medley Relay - 1. UAlbany (Greg Kiley, Peter Rowell, Aaron Lozier, Paul Lagno), 9:48.80; 2. UMBC, 9:49.52; 3. Boston U., 9:54.90.
Long Jump - 1. Fred Casimo (UAlbany), 23-02.50; 2. Kareem Morris (UAlbany), 22-11.75; 3. Blake Edwards (Boston U.), 22-11.00.
Pole Vault - 1. Adam Helman (Binghamton), 16-02.75; 2. Martin Nevarez (UMBC), 15-09.00; t3. Eric VanAerman (Binghamton), 15-09-00; t3. Robb Quiller (Binghamton), 15-09.00.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Kadine Johnson Wins Weight Throw & Alli Rogers Sets 400 Mark at America East Indoor Meet - UAlbany Sports 2011

At the America East women's championship, Kadine Johnson became the second UAlbany athlete to win the weight throw. Johnson, who was second in this event last year, threw 58-feet, 10.25-inches, on her sixth and final attempt. Her wining mark was just one and three-quarters inches off her own UAlbany standard. In the women's team standings, the Great Danes were first with 50 points after six events.

The Great Danes placed second in the distance medley relay, but shattered the UAlbany standard by nearly five seconds. The relay of Brianne Bellon, Jessica Hunter, Jonelle White and Kathryn Fanning crossed the line in 11:41.48. Celine Cauderlier set a school-record in the pole vault to finish third. Cauderlier, who hails from Entzhein, France, cleared the bar at 11-feet, 9.75-inches to break her own mark. Yushanni Durrant was second in the long jump and made the ECAC standard with a leap of 19-0.50. Ashley Mahlmeister was third in the pentathlon with 3,396 points. The sophomore won the 60m-hurdles in 8.96 seconds and was second in the long jump (18-4.25) in the five-event competition.

Alli Rogers qualified for Saturday's 400-meter dash final with a record-setting performance. She sprinted 56.34 seconds to break a 14-year-old standard and qualify for the ECAC meet. Xiomara Davila Diaz went 56.52 in 1997. Christen Griffin moved through the preliminary rounds to reach the championship races in the 60-meter hurdles, 60-dash and 200-dash. Her ECAC-qualifying time of 24.74 in the 200m is the second-fastest in school history.

America East Conference Track & Field Championships (First Day)

WOMEN (after six events) - 1. UAlbany 50, 2. New Hampshire 44, 3. Boston U. 42.5, 4. Binghamton 22, 5. Stony Brook 21, 6. Vermont 19, 7. UMBC 18.5; 8. Maine 16.
Individual

Pentathlon - 1. Allison Barwise (Boston U.), 3,813 points; 2. Jacquelyn Mendes (New Hampshire), 3,485; 3. Ashley Mahlmeister (UAlbany), 3,396.
Weight Throw - 1. Kadine Johnson (UAlbany), 58-10.25; 2. Amanda Deller (UMBC), 53-07.00; 3. Rosemary Read (New Hampshire), 50-06.25.
Pole Vault - 1. Rita Ciambra (New Hamspshire), 12-03.50; 2. Jenna Marrione (Binghamton), 11-09.75; 3. Celine Cauderlier (UAlbany), 11-09.75.5
5,000-Meter Run - 1. Katie Matthews (Boston U.), 16:06.28; 2. Hayley Green (Stony Brook), 16:28.45; 3. Erica Jesseman (New Hampshire), 16:34.81.
Long Jump - 1. Jesse Labreck (Maine), 20-01.75, 2. Yushanni Durrant (UAlbany), 19-00.50; 3. Nikko Brady (Boston U.), 18-09.00.
Distance Medley Relay - 1. Stony Brook, 11:13.20; 2. UAlbany (Brianne Bellon, Jessica Hunter, Jonelle White, Kathryn Fanning), 11:41.48; 3. Vermont, 11:45.35.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Ebone Henry Leads University of Albany's Comeback Victory; Great Danes Set Division I Win Record - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Sophomore Ebone Henry had 19 points and 12 rebounds as UAlbany rallied in second half for a 65-55 victory over Stony Brook in America East Conference play on Thursday,, Feb. 17 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes posted their third consecutive win.

UAlbany (15-11, AE 8-5) trailed 48-44 with less that seven minutes remaining, but then responded with a string of 10 straight points. Melia Basavand drilled a three-point field goal to start the run. After Henry split a pair of free throws, Keyana Williams followed the second missed foul attempt to put her team ahead. Julie Forster made two more from the line, before Henry connected on a drive from the right.

Stony Brook (5-20, AE 2-11) was still within striking distance at 56-51 when Tamiel Murray hit a jumper in the lane on the move. But the Great Danes, who held their opponent to 30-percent shooting in the final half, pulled away as Henry buried a 3-point shot off a screen from the top of arc and her team added six straight points from the charity stripe.

"We switched to a 2-3 zone and got some defensive stops and we staying poised offensively the last ten minutes," said UAlbany coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, whose team now owns their highest win total in a season since upgrading to Division I in 1999-2000. "I am happy for our seniors and proud of our players. It's not about the wins, but their growth."

In the opening period, the Seawolves reversed a 22-18 deficit with 11 unanswered to end the half. Sam Landers made a three-point field goal from the left wing to ignite that stretch, before Destiny Jacobs sank two free throws to put her squad in front. Kirsten Jeter, who had all 10 of her points in the stanza, later canned a turnaround on the left baseline and Murray hit a fastbreak layup. The Great Danes led by as much as seven before intermission before the visitors started their comeback.

Forster added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Great Danes, who also won the first meeting with Stony Brook on Jan. 18th to take the regular-season series. The Seawolves' Jacobs finished with nine points and seven rebounds, while Murray also scored nine.

"Our defense finally got it together and then our offense came around," offered Henry, who recorded her fifth double-double of the season. "They were too relaxed (offensively) against our man-to-man defense."

Paw Prints: UAlbany eclipsed the program's Division I single-season record with its 15th victory ... the Great Danes went 14-14 in the 2004-05 campaign ... UAlbany's current win total is its highest since 1996-97 ... Julie Forster scored in double figures for the 13th time this winter, including four straight ... Ebone Henry recorded her first double-double since the first meeting with Stony Brook on Jan. 18th ... Keyana Williams had six points and six rebounds off the bench ... UAlbany wore pink shoestrings in their sneakers to promote breast cancer awareness ... UAlbany remained in fifth place in the conference standings, just one game behind Hartford and Binghamton.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Men & Women Look to Defend America East Indoor Track and Field Titles

Championship Central Men's Descending Order List Women's Descending Order List 2011 Indoor Track & Field Championship Preview CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The University at Albany men's and women's track and field teams hope to repeat last season's championship sweep when they take to the Boston University Track and Tennis Center for the 2011 America East Indoor Track and Field Championship this Friday and Saturday. In 2010, the Great Dane men won their fifth straight America East indoor title while the women earned their first indoor conference crown.

On the men's side, Albany was the preseason favorite to defend their title. To do that, the Great Danes will look to their depth in the sprints and middle distances. Sophomore Tristan Akong (Springfield Gardens, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) set the conference's top mark in the 60-meter dash last Saturday with a time of 6.81. Just .14 seconds behind Akong is classmate Jake Rachiele (Farmingdale, N.Y./St. John the Baptist), who put up the third-best time in America East this season, also last Saturday. The 2010 Most Outstanding Rookie Jonathan Santana (Rochester, N.Y./Edison Tech) should also score points for Albany as he currently ranks among the top six in the conference in the 200 meters (fourth - 22.26), 400 meters (sixth - 49.69) and 500 meters (third - 1:03.95). In the 800-meter run, juniors Nicolas Santos (Albany, N.Y./Colonie Central) and Chris Burke (Tully, N.Y./Tully/SUNY Delhi) currently sit one-two in America East. In the field, senior Wilfredo de Jesus Elias (Arroyo, P.R./Natividad Rodriguez Gonzalez) has a chance to win his third straight title in the weight throw as he has set the conference's top mark this season with a toss of 19.96 meters (65'6").

On the women's side, Albany looks to defend its first America East title with some of the top performers across the board. Freshman Brianne Bellon (Greenfield, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) has posted top times in the 800 meters and 1,000 meters. While junior Brittany Eveleth (Watervliet, N.Y./Watervliet) enters the championship as the top seed in the 500 meters. Also on the track, the Great Dane women have posted the conference's top times in the 4x400-meter relay, 4x800-meter relay and the 4,000-meter distance medley. In the field, seniors Kadine Johnson (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) and Sandy Antenor (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern) anchor the Great Danes. Johnson is ranked No. 1 in the weight throw and No. 2 in the shot put. Antenor is the America East leader in the triple jump.

by America East Communications

Tim Ambrose Leads University of Albany Past Stony Brook, 58-43, in America East Men's Basketball - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Tim Ambrose scored 22 points in leading UAlbany to a 58-43 victory over Stony Brook in America East Conference play on Monday, Feb. 14 at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany (13-15, AE 6-7) tallied the opening eight points of the second half. Luke Devlin netted a pair of baskets and then set up John Puk with a pass from the left baseline. Devlin finished with eight points and 11 rebounds. Jacob Iati added another basket for a 31-22 advantage. Stony Brook (11-15, AE 6-8) missed its opening six field goal attempts in period and was limited to 30.9-percent shooting overall.

Still leading 37-30, the Great Danes pulled away with 11 of the game's next 13 points. Ambrose, who made 7 of 12 from the field and 5 of 5 from the line, followed Logan Aronhalt's missed three-point attempt and converted a drive in the lane to ignite that stretch. Mike Black canned a 3-pointer from the top of the arc and Ambrose drilled a long-range jumper in transition to extend the lead to 48-32 with 7:05 remaining. The Great Danes, who also won the first meeting of the season between these teams, led by as much as 18 points in the stretch.

"Our defense was solid and it was a great team effort," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose club took both regular-season games in the series for the first time since 2007-08. "We got a lift from our bench. In the second half, we rebounded well and ran which allowed us to get some easy baskets."

In a tight-fisted first half, UAlbany took a 23-22 lead to the locker room. The period featured six lead changes one tie and each squad led by as much as four points. The Great Danes reversed a 15-14 deficit when Ambrose connected in the lane off the dribble and Ralph Watts made a 3-pointer from the right wing. Stony Brook drew even at 19 apiece on Eric McAlister's tip-in. Watts sank two free throws to put his team back in front.

"That's the best twenty minutes we have put together in a couple of games," explained Iati, who had five points, two assists and two steals as a reserve. "We played well defensively and did a good job in the matchup. We were able to locate (Bryan) Dougher and keep a high hand on him."

Leonard Hayes, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, led the Seawolves with 18 points, the second-highest total of his career. Bryan Dougher, the team's leading scorer, was held to five points on 1-of-10 from the floor.

"It felt like I could throw the ball into the ocean," offered Ambrose, who toppled the 1,500-point mark as a collegian. "We shared the ball, played great team basketball, and got deflections and steals that led to fastbreaks."

Paw Prints: UAlbany takes both regular-season games from Stony Brook and ties Division I series at 13 wins apiece ... Tim Ambrose scored 20-plus points for the 22nd time as a collegian ... the 6-foot senior moved past the 1,500-point mark (1,516) for his career ... the Great Danes held an opponent under 50 points for the fourth time this year ... Luke Devlin has grabbed 10 or more rebounds seven times this winter ... sophomore captain Blake Metcalf made his first start of the season, as John Puk came off the bench for the first time ... the Great Danes climbed into fourth place in the America East Conference standings and are just ahead of New Hampshire and Stony Brook.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Sandy Antenor Named America East Women's Track & Field Performer of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Sandy Antenor has been selected America East Conference Field Performer of the Week in women's indoor track and field, as announced on Tuesday, Feb. 15 by the conference office. Antenor, a senior from Suffern, N.Y., won the triple jump at the New York Road Runners Saturday Night at the Armory III.

Antenor recorded a first-place effort of 40-feet, 5.5-inches, the fourth-best leap in school history. Her ECAC-qualifying mark is the best in the conference this season and is fourth in the Northeast Region rankings. Antenor, who won the competition by 5.5 inches, also went 40-plus feet in a winning performance at Penn State's Nittany Lion Challenge on Jan. 15.

Paw Prints: UAlbany is No. 12 in this week's USTFCCA Northeast Region women's rankings ... the Great Danes finished fifth as a team at the NYRR Saturday Night meet ... Christen Griffin is sixth in the Northeast Region after sprinting to a first-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.60 seconds ... Brianne Bellon and Kathryn Fanning turned in season-best performances in the 800- and 1,000-meter runs, respectively ... the Great Danes, who placed third in the NYRR team standings, are No. 13 in the USTFCCA men's regional rankings ... Tristan Akong is fourth in the region in the 60-meter dash, as he won the NYRR meet in 6.81 seconds ... Nick Santos and Chris Burke each qualified for the IC4A championship in the 800-meter run ... Wilfredo de Jesus Elias has the top weight throw mark in the Northeast Region at 65-feet, 6 inches ... UAlbany will attempt to win its sixth consecutive men's title and second straight women's crown at the America East Conference Championships on Feb. 18-19 at Boston University's Track and Tennis Center.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Henry Leads University of Albany Women's Basketball to Season Sweep of Vermont With 75-65 Win - UAlbany Sports 2011

Burlington, Vt. - Ebone Henry scored a game-high 20 points to lead four Great Danes in double figures, leading UAlbany to a 75-65 win over Vermont in America East Conference women's basketball action on Monday evening. With the victory over the Catamounts, the Great Danes completed the season sweep of Vermont, and improved to 14-11 overall, with a 7-5 record in league play.

The teams played a close start to the game, but after a layup by Vermont's Lauren Wheeler at 11:36 tied the game at 9-9, the Great Danes took control and started to pull away. A 3-pointer by Melia Basavand gave UAlbany a 16-11 lead with 9:04 to play. Vermont battled back and took a one-point lead, 19-18, on two free throws by Tonya Young, who finished with a game-high 19 points for the Catamounts, but Henry drained one of her two 3-pointers to put UAlbany back on top for good.

The Great Danes got ahead by as many as seven, 32-25, late in the first half, as Basavand hit a trey with an assist from Julie Forster with 3:25 left to play. Young hit two additional free throws in the final minute, but Basavand, who scored 14 points for UAlbany in the game, hit another long-range shot with three ticks left on the clock to send the teams to the locker rooms with the Great Danes on top, 35-29.

Lauren Buschmann scored the first basket of the second half for Vermont, but Henry responded with a layup to keep UAlbany in control. Two free throws by Tabitha Makopondo, who totaled 13 points for UAlbany, put the Great Danes ahead by eight, 44-36, with 15:35 left to play. Tory Dennerlein attempted to start a rally for the Catamounts, draining a 3-pointer a minute later to pull Vermont to within 44-40, but Cassandra Callaway hit a trey of her own for UAlbany to keep the Catamounts out of striking distance.

Vermont pulled back within five, 51-46, on a Young layup, but UAlbany embarked on a 7-0 run, capped by two free throws by Forster at 7:44, to pull ahead by 12, 58-46. Sam Simononis pulled the Catamounts back to ten with a layup on the next possession, but Basavand drained her fourth 3-pointer of the game with an assist by Henry to put the Great Danes on top, 61-48. UAlbany continued to roll from there, getting up by as many as 17 on two occasions, including 69-52 after a Forster layup with just over four minutes left to play.

The Catamounts attempted to make a late run, scoring six unanswered points, ending with a Lauren Wheeler Jumper that pulled the score back within 10, 71-61. Forster, who finished with her tenth double-double of the season, scored three of her 16 points in the final minute, all at the free throw line. Henry recorded a steal as the clock wound down to seal the victory for the Great Danes.

Forster totaled a game-high 11 rebounds, along with three assists, one steal and a block for the Great Danes. Henry pulled down six boards for UAlbany, while also recording a game-high four steals and two assists. UAlbany shot 41.8 percent (23-55) from the floor, and out-rebounded Vermont, 42-25. Simononis and Wheeler each finished with 10 points for Vermont (4-21, AE 4-8).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Tristan Akong Wins 60-Meter Dash; University of Albany 3rd at NYRR Collegiate Meet at the Armory - UAlbany Sports 2011

New York, N.Y. - University at Albany's Tristan Akong won the 60-meter dash with the second-fastest time in school history to highlight his team's performance at the New York Road Runners Collegiate Meet, held at the Armory Track and Field Center on Saturday, Feb. 12. The Great Danes finished third in the men's team standings, while the women placed fifth.

Akong sprinted 6.81 seconds to easily defeat Army's Alfred McDaniel (6.91). The sophomore's time was four-hundredths of a second off Junior Burnett's school record and qualified him for the IC4A championships in March. UAlbany's Jake Rachiele was fourth in 6.96, also bettering the IC4A standard.

Freshman Kareem Morris was second in the long jump with a leap of 22-feet, 10.50-inches. Greg Kiley finished third in the 1,000-meter run by running an IC4A time of 2:26.68. Nick Santos and Chris Burke each qualified for the IC4A meet in the 800-meter run. Santos took third in 1:52.15, while Burke was fourth in 1:52.23.

NYRR Collegiate Meet at the Armory III

Men - 1. Virginia 98.5, 2. Army 89, 3. UAlbany 81, 4. Columbia 71, 5. Lehigh 61, 6. Pennsylvania 57.5, 7. Brown 57, 8. Delaware State 41, 9. Maryland 32, t10. Rutgers 20, t10. Shore Athletic Club 20, 12. Westchester Track Club 10, 13. CPTC New Balance 8.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Sandy Antenor & Christen Griffin Win at NYRR Collegiate Meet at the Armory - UAlbany Sports 2011

New York, N.Y. - In the women's competition, Sandy Antenor won the triple jump with a mark of 40-5.50, the fourth-best leap in program history. She and teammate Ashley Mahlmeister qualified for the ECAC championships. Mahlmeister jumped 39-feet, 7-inches to tie for fourth place. UAlbany went one-two in the 60-meter hurdles. Christen Griffin edged Yushanni Durrant to garner first place. Griffin sprinted 8.60 seconds to register the fourth-best time in program annals.

A pair of freshman turned in season-best performances. Brianne Bellon ran 2:12.34 in the 800-meter run to hit the tape in third place, while Kathryn Fanning crossed the finish line in 2:53.78 to place third at 1,000-meters. Elia Francis posted a second-place effort in the 500-meter dash with a time of 1:16.23.

UAlbany attempts to win its sixth consecutive men's indoor title at the America East Championships on Feb. 18-19 at Boston University's Track and Tennis Center. The Great Danes will look to defend their women's championship.

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NYRR Collegiate Meet at the Armory III

Women - 1. Columbia 166.5, 2. Virginia 110, 3. Brown 84.5, 4. Maryland 81, 5. UAlbany 67.5, 6. Pennsylvania 36, 7. Delaware State 22.33, 8. Army 16.66, 9. CPTC New Balance 15, 10. Lehigh 11.5, 11. Riadha/S4 11, t12. New York Athletic Club 10, t12. St. John's 10, 14. Westchester Track Club 8.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany & Boston U. Meet in Big Apple Battle; Part of Madison Square Garden Doubleheader

New York, N.Y. - UAlbany and Boston University will play in the Big Apple Battle at Madison Square Garden in the second half of a college doubleheader on Thursday, Feb. 10. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:35 p.m. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports Radio AM 980 (WOFX). A Big East Conference matchup between St. John's and Connecticut will begin the evening.

For the first time, the Great Danes will play in the "World's Most Famous Arena." The Garden will host its first-ever America East men's basketball conference game. Boston U. is making its fourth MSG appearance, including the 1959 NCAA Tournament.

Boston U. (12-13, AE 7-4) is coming off a pair of wins over Maine and Stony Brook and has moved into third place in the conference standings. John Holland, a two-time first-team All-America East selection, leads the league in scoring at 18.8 points per game. He recently became the second BU player to topple the 2,000-point mark and has 2,028 career points. Darryl Partin, a 6-foot-6 transfer from La Salle, is ninth among the America East scoring leaders with a 13.9 average. The Terriers rallied from a double-figure halftime deficit to win this year's first meeting with the Great Danes, a 70-67 decision at SEFCU Arena on Jan. 15.

UAlbany (12-14, AE 5-6) has worked its way up to fourth place in the America East standings by winning four of its last six outings in league play. Tim Ambrose had 20 points in last Saturday's 62-59 Big Purple Growl victory over Hartford. Ambrose (16.5 ppg) climbed to fifth on the all-time scoring list with 1,481 points. Logan Aronhalt (14.8 ppg) and Mike Black (12.0 ppg) also score in twin figures. Aronhalt has struck for 20-plus points on six occasions this season. Freshman Luke Devlin, who contributes 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds, has received the conference's rookie of the week award four times this season.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Callaway Scores 25 to Lead University of Albany to a 77-68 Win Over Boston U. in America East W Basketball Action - UAlbany Sports 2011

Boston, Mass. - Cassandra Callaway scored a career-high 25 points to lead UAlbany to a 77-68 win over Boston U. in America East Conference women's basketball action at Case Gymnasium on Wednesday evening. The Great Danes ended a six-game losing streak to BU, handing the Terriers their first conference loss of the season and keeping the program from reaching its 500th win.

The teams kept it tight to start the game, with UAlbany holding a 9-8 advantage at the first media timeout at 14:16. Callaway hit a jumper and a 3-pointer from the left side of the arc in that stretch, before Alex Young drained a trey from the right wing to put BU up, 11-9. The teams continued to exchange baskets, with the score tied up at 16-16 after two free throws by Julie Forster. Young hit her second 3-pointer of the game with 10:38 on the clock to put Boston U. ahead, 19-16.

Callaway, who totaled 14 first-half points, hit three consecutive baskets, including her second three pointer of the game, to put the Great Danes ahead, 29-28, with 4:14 left to play. Back-to-back jumpers in the lane by Caroline Stewart put the Terriers back on top, but Melia Basavand came off the bench to drain consecutive 3-pointers to give the Great Danes a 35-32 advantage with just over two minutes on the clock. A conventional 3-point play by Cashman tied the game at 35-all, before Johnson and Moran exchanged layups to send the teams to the locker rooms knotted at 37-37.

The teams started the second half much like the first, exchanging baskets to remain tied until Johnson hit two free throws at 16:03 to put UAlbany up 43-41. However, Chantal Alford, who was held scoreless in the first half, was fouled on a runner in the lane, making the ensuing free throw to give BU a one-point lead. Alford recorded a steal on the ensuing UAlbany possession, and converted a layup to put the Terriers ahead, 46-43, with just over 15 minutes to play.

Boston U. then embarked on an 8-0 run, as Young was fouled on a 3-point attempt and converted all three free throws, followed by a jumper by Rashidat Agboola and a trey by Alford, putting the Terriers up, 54-47, at the 12-minute media timeout. Henry ended the run for UAlbany, smacking away a cross-court pass for one of her five steals, laying the ball in with 10:47 left to play. That started an 18-5 run for the Great Danes, which gave UAlbany a 65-59 lead with 4:51 on the clock after Callaway hit a long-range 3-pointer, en route to earning America East Player of the Game honors. Strong free throw shooting down the stretch sealed the victory up for UAlbany, as Callaway and Henry combined to hit 9-of-10 shots from the charity stripe in the waning minutes.

UAlbany (13-11, AE 6-5) shot a season-high 49.1 percent from the floor, including 35.3 percent from 3-point range. The teams were equal off the boards, each pulling down 34 total rebounds, but the Great Danes made the best of their opportunities from the free throw line, converting 19-of-25 shots from the stripe, while Boston U. went 9-of-14 from the line.

Moran led five Boston U. (13-10AE 10-1) players in double figures with a team-high 15 points. Young chipped in with 14 points, while Alford finished with 13, all in the second half. Kerry Cashman and Stewart both scored 10 points for the Terriers, while finishing with eight and seven rebounds, respectively. Forster and Johnson also reached double-figure scoring totals for UAlbany, adding 14 and 13 points.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Christina Patrick & Corrine McConville Earn womensfieldhockey.com Postseason Awards - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Junior forward Christina Patrick and freshman midfielder Corrine McConville earned postseason awards from womensfieldhockey.com, as announced by the organization. Patrick was named to the All-American Third Team, while McConville garnered national all-rookie team accolades.

Patrick, an NFHCA Division I All-Region Second Team honoree, was a member of the America East All-Conference First Team, as she finished tied for second in the league standings with 16 goals, including a conference-best six game-winners. McConville was an all-region second team honoree after being named the America East rookie of the year in 2010. McConville scored eight goals and added two assists in her first season with the Great Danes.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Men's Lacrosse Voted Second in America East Preseason Poll; Great Danes Open on Feb. 26

Cambridge, Mass. - After reaching the America East Conference championship game last year, UAlbany has been chosen to finish second in the conference preseason poll, as announced on Tuesday, Feb. 8 by the league office. The poll was voted by the conference's head coaches. Stony Brook has been selected to defend their America East title with five first-place votes and 25 points. The Great Danes earned 20 points.

UAlbany opens its 2011 schedule against Drexel in Philadelphia, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 26. The Great Danes meet six opponents who are ranked in the preseason USILA national poll, including No. 2 Syracuse.

Head coach Scott Marr, who enters his 11th season, has 24 letterwinners back from last year's squad. Brian Caufield, a two-time All-America East first-team selection, and all-conference attacker Joe Resetarits return after each player's season was shortened due to injury one year ago. Caufield has 131 career points and is fifth on the program's career assists list (70). Goalkeeper John Carroll posted a .514 save percentage with an 11.33 goals against average.

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America East Conference Men's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. Stony Brook (5), 25; 2. Albany 22; 3. Hartford (1), 16; 4. UMBC 13, 5. Vermont 11, 6. Binghamton 5.
( ) - first-place votes

Paw Prints: UAlbany is receiving votes in the USILA coaches' preseason poll ... Brian Caufield and midfielder Kyle Crotty are serving as team captains for the second consecutive season ... Caufield was taken in the 2011 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft by the Rochester Rattlers in the sixth round ... UAlbany meets No. 17 Delaware in its home opener at John Fallon Field on Saturday, March 5 at 3:00 p.m.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Great Danes Chosen Second in America East Conference Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll

Cambridge, Mass. - After winning last year's America East Conference regular-season title, UAlbany has been picked second in the conference's preseason poll, as announced on Wednesday, Feb. 9 by the league office. Boston University was chosen to defend its conference championship and received three first-place votes for 33 points. The Great Danes had two first-place votes and 29 points.

John Battaglino, who is in his first season as UAlbanys' head coach, has seven returning starters, including four all-conference players. Nikki Branchini earned third-team All-America recognition. Branchini was third nationally with 4.93 draw controls per game, sixth with 3.27 ground balls per game and ninth with a 2.07 caused turnovers average, topping the conference in all three categories. Mel Rorie (30 goals, 4 assists) was a first-team All-America East midfielder. Leading scorer Taylor Frink (30 goals, 25 assists) and defender Jenn Primeau were second-team all-league selections.

The Great Danes, who posted a 13-3 record, went undefeated in conference regular-season play, and made their first-ever appearance in the national top 20, open their schedule against Siena on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at John Fallon Field.

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America East Conference Preseason Women's Lacrosse Poll
1. Boston U. (3), 33; 2. Albany (2), 29; 3. UMBC (1), 27; 4. New Hampshire (1), 23; 5. Vermont 17, 6. Stony Brook 12, 7. Binghamton 6. ( ) - first-place votes

Paw Prints: UAlbany is coming off its finest season as a Division I program, winning an America East regular-season championship and finishing second in the nation in scoring offense at 15.06 goals per game ... the Great Danes' list of non-conference opponents, including Penn State, Oregon and Boston College ...John Battaglino was promoted to head coach on Aug. 19 ... Jessica Davos, a four-year letterwinner at Syracuse, and Katie Rowan, a three-time Syracuse All-American, are in their first year as assistant coaches.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Wilfredo de Jesus Elias Earns Second Straight America East Field Performer of the Week Award -UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Wilfredo de Jesus Elias has been chosen America East Conference Field Performer of the Week in men's indoor track and field, as announced on Tuesday, Feb. 8 by the conference office. de Jesus Elias, a senior from Arroyo, Puerto Rico, earned the weekly award for the second consecutive week.
de Jesus Elias shattered his own school with a toss of 65-feet, 6-inches, as he finished in fifth place in the weight throw at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational on Feb. 5 at the Armory Track and Field Center. His mark is the best throw in the Northeast Region this season and ranks 29th nationally among all Division I competitors. The defending America East champion set the previous UAlbany standard (63-6.75) at this same meet in 2009.

Paw Prints: UAlbany moved up one place to No. 12 in the USTFCCA Northeast Region men's rankings this week ... the Great Danes finished 11th in the team standings at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational with 25 points ... Jonathan Santana anchored the 4x200-meter relay to a school record of 1:27.24, breaking the old standard of 1:28.74 ... Santana also ran a 47.8 split in the 400-dash part of the distance medley relay ... the group placed second to Duke in 9:47.02, the fastest time in the Northeast this winter ... the Great Danes advance two spots to No. 11 in USTFCCA women's regional rankings ... freshman Brianne Bellon ran the lead-off 1,200-meter leg on the distance medley relay that qualified for the ECAC championship in 11:47.04, a time that is sixth-best in the region.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Kristi Troch Named 2010 America East Conference Field Hockey Scholar-Athlete - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - Sophomore goalkeeper Kristi Troch was named the America East Conference Field Hockey Scholar-Athlete for the 2010 season, as announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon.

Troch was named the America East Goalkeeper of the Year last fall after leading UAlbany to its second conference title in the last three seasons. Troch, a human biology major who maintains a 3.67 cumulative grade point average, led the nation in save percentage last season (.818). Helping the Great Danes achieve a national ranking for the majority of the season, Troch led the conference in save percentage and goals against average (1.14). Troch as twice been named to the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll, has received America East All-Academic Team recognition and is a member of the UAlbany Athletic Director's Honor Roll.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Luke Devlin Named America East Conference Basketball Rookie of the Week for 4th Time - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Luke Devlin has been selected America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men's basketball, as announced on Monday, Feb. 7 by the conference office. Devlin, a freshman forward, earned the weekly award for the fourth time this season. Jon Iati and Jamar Wilson are the only UAlbany players to have received the award more in a season since the program joined the conference in 2001-02.

A native of Sydney, Australia, Devlin averaged 10.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in two games. He recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds in last Saturday's 62-59 Big Purple Growl victory over Hartford. He also had 10 points and 14 rebounds, one off the program's Division I single-game record, in an overtime loss at New Hampshire on Feb. 2.

Devlin ranks ninth among the America East leaders in rebounding at 6.3 per game, plus is scoring at a 6.8 clip. UAlbany (12-14, AE 5-6) meets Boston University in the Big Apple Battle on Thursday, Feb. 10 in the second half of a college doubleheader at Madison Square Garden. St. John's hosts Connecticut in the first game.

Paw Prints: The 14th annual Big Purple Growl produced the largest home crowd (4,037) this season ... the University's Winter Homecoming drew 4,000-plus fans for the fourth consecutive year ... Tim Ambrose, a 6-foot senior, has moved past Don Cohen (1957-61) into fifth place on the school's career scoring list with 1,481 points ... Ambrose and Jamar Wilson are the only players in UAlbany's 97 seasons to combine for more than 1,400 points, 500 rebounds and 250 assists during a career ... UAlbany has played in 11 games decided by four points or less this winter ... the Great Danes are making their first-ever Madison Square Garden appearance on Feb. 10 in the Big Apple Battle.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Wins NY-NJ Relay at New Balance Invitational - Brianne Bellon Fourth in Mile Run

New York City, N.Y. - University at Albany's Wilfredo de Jesus Elias set a school record in the weight throw and the 4x200-meter relay set another standard on the final day at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 5. Texas A&M and LSU were among the nation's top program competing at the Armory Track & Field Center.

de Jesus Elias shattered his own school standard in the championship weight throw with a toss of 65-feet, 6-inches. de Jesus Elias, who finished fifth in the competition, broke his own mark set at this same meet in 2009. He helped his team finish 11th in team standings with 25 points.

Jonathan Santana anchored UAlbany to a record in the championship 4x200m relay. The Great Danes sprinted 1:27.24 to eclipse the old mark of 1:28.74. Other relay members were Taylor Chaney, Jake Rachiele and Kareem Morris. Chaney also led the Great Danes to a second-place finish with a time of 3:18.33 in the NY-NJ 4x400 relay.

Chris Burke finished second in the men's college one mile run and qualified for the IC4A championship with a time 4.09.95. Burke, who led UAlbany to victory in the 4x800m relay the previous day, placed behind winner Nathan Ogden, of Brigham Young, who hit the tape in 4:08.59. UAlbany's Ethan Clary took fifth in the college 5,000-meter run and was clocked in 14:44.92, meeting the IC4A standard.

In the women's meet, Brianne Bellon continued her promising freshman campaign by placing fourth in the college one mile run. She posted the sixth-fastest time in school history by crossing the line in 4:58.32. Duke's Gabby Levac won the race in 4:57.15.

The Great Danes won the NY-NJ women's 4x400 relay in 3:50.95. Alli Rogers ran the lead-off leg for a group that included Brittany Eveleth, Jessica Hunter and Tierra Chavis.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information