University of Albany Men's Basketball & Jacob Iati's Career Night Sinks Navy, 71-61, On Friday - UAlbany Sports 2012

Annapolis, Md.- Senior guard Jacob Iati goes off for a career high 26 points to lead UAlbany over Navy, 71-61, on Friday, Dec. 28 at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Md. The 10th non-conference win for the Great Danes is the most wins before conference play in the Division I era. "I knew he would play well because he is from York, Pa. and anytime we play in the state of Maryland, it seems like half of York Pa. shows up in support for the Iatis," said head coach Will Brown on Iati's career night. The Great Danes were paced by Iati's 26 points on 6-of-11 shooting from behind the arc. Junior forward Luke Devlin, who has had a rough start to the season, found his rhythm tonight with 13 points on 4-of-4 shooting from the floor and Sam Rowley complimented with seven points and seven rebounds. With the score tied 11 all, UAlbany got its offense going with a 12-0 run that was sparked by three three-pointers, two by Iati and one Hooley. The Great Danes led 23-11 with 7:00 minutes remaining in the half. Navy put UAlbany in foul trouble and hit three of four free throws cut the deficit to six, 25-19, with 3:05 left in the first. Then a Chris Page three pointer followed by a Iati three and two made free throws along with a Luke Devlin jumper, put UAlbany back up to a double-digit lead of 11, 35-24, with 41 seconds left. Page, on the defensive side, swatted a shot then stole pass to hold the Midshipmen to 24 at their final possession. The Great Danes opened up the second half on a 14-7 run to extend their lead to the largest of the game (19), 50-31, with 15:04 remaining. Rowley capped the run with a three-point play. However, Navy did not let up, going on a 10-1 run to cut the deficit to six, 51-45, with 7:29 left in the game. The Midshipmen's Brandon Venturini hit two threes during the run to cut the deficit to the closest that Navy came during the remainder of the contest. UAlbany put its foot on the gas to put Navy away by going on a 20-8 run in a seven minute stretch, 71-53. Devlin sparked the run, scoring 11 of his 13 total points. The Great Danes shot 41.7 percent (10-24) from behind the arc and out rebounded Navy, 33-29. "We did a great job defensively in the first half but got in foul trouble as a team early and gave 18 free-throw attempts that kept Navy in the game. Then in the second we got a little lazy and they made shots, but we weathered the storm and finished strong to win the game," mentioned Coach Brown about the Great Danes 10th win of the season. The Great Danes head back to Albany for its final non-conference game before America East play against Brown on Monday, Dec. 31. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.