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