Ebone Henry Leads University of Albany to 62-56 Overtime Win in America East Conference Opener - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Ebone Henry tied a career-high with 26 points, including five in overtime, in leading UAlbany to a 62-56 victory over New Hampshire in the America East Conference opener for both squads on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes ended a three-game losing streak.

New Hampshire (3-10, AE 0-1) trailed 32-23 early in the second half, but then got back into the fray with eight straight points. Denise Beliveau, who had 19 points and a career-best 15 rebounds, scored three consecutive baskets, including a fastbreak layup. From that point, the contest featured six lead changes and five ties.

The Wildcats broke a 44-44 deadlock when Cari Reed drilled a three-point field goal from right of the key. UAlbany was still down three when Henry followed Adrienne Jones' missed jumper. After Reed split a pair of free throws, Henry drew her team even at 52 apiece by converting a left-handed drive with 33.9 seconds left in regulation. UNH's Lauren Wells missed a three-point attempt in the final seconds.

In the extra period, Beliveau put her team in front, 57-56 with a pair of foul shots. But UAlbany's Jones, who equaled a season-high with 10 points, regained the lead with a left-baseline drive. Henry, who made 8-of-17 from the floor and 8-of-10 from the line, sank two free throws. Cassandra Callaway picked off one of her six steals and hit a layup for a 61-56 advantage with 40.8 seconds to play.

"Ebone Henry was a different person tonight," said UAlbany coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, whose team had dropped five of its previous six outings. "She hustled, got offensive rebounds and attacked the basket. We need her to play like that every night."

UAlbany (8-6, AE 1-0) led 11-9 midway through the first half, before running off seven straight points. Henry did all the damage in that stretch. She scored with an offensive rebound and made two free throws following a steal. Henry, who also grabbed nine rebounds, later added a three-point play when she was fouled on a put back in the lane. New Hampshire kept close at the half, 25-19, as Kelley Flynn sank two free throws and made a turnaround bank from left of the lane.

Jill McDonald had 12 points for the Wildcats, who were coming off a triple-overtime win three days earlier. Callaway was the third Great Dane in double figures with 13.

Paw Prints: UAlbany had dropped seven of its previous nine America East Conference openers ... the Great Danes last played an overtime contest on Feb. 21, 2010, a 64-62 win at New Hampshire ... UNH has won 13 of the 21 meetings in this series ... Ebone Henry matched her career-best 26-point effort against Stony Brook on Feb. 10, 2010

... UAlbany is now 7-1 this season when holding the opposition under 60 points

... Cassandra Callaway scored in double figures for the seventh time this year ... New Hampshire sophomore Jilliane Friel is sister of UAlbany men's basketball assistant coach Jeremy Friel ... UNH head coach Maureen Magarity is the daughter of current Army women's coach and former Marist men's coach Dave Magarity.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information