#6 Duke Downs UAlbany Before Capacity Crowd

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Durham, N.C. -- DeMarcus Nelson scored 23 points to pace five players in double figures in leading Duke, the nation's sixth-ranked team, to a 111-70 victory over UAlbany on Monday evening at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game was played before a capacity crowd of 9,314, the 264th consecutive home sellout since 1990.

Duke (10-0) shot 60.3 percent from the field and made 15 of 26 from three-point range in recording the highest point total by an opponent in the UAlbany program's history. The Blue Devils, who have won three national titles since 1991, used pressure defense to force 21 turnovers.

"Their pressure got to us and we turned the ball over too many times early in the game,” UAlbany coach Will Brown explained. “They made us pay for every mistake and got into a rhythm. They have so many weapons and there is no drop off when they substitute. They are unselfish and communicate on both ends of the floor."

The Blue Devils, who have won 57 consecutive non-league games at home, opened up a 25-11 lead over the opening nine minutes by hitting 10-of-14 from the field. Nelson, a 6-foot-4 senior, made a pair of three-point field goals in that outburst.

UAlbany (5-5) cut into the deficit on an over-the-head layup by Tim Ambrose, who had 12 first-half points. Duke came back with nine of the next 11 points to push out to a 34-17 advantage. Greg Paulus buried one of his team's nine 3-pointers in the stanza to begin that stretch. Taylor King canned another long-range jumper to end the run. The Blue Devils shot 60.6 percent overall in the half.

Ambrose finished with a career-high 24 points, on 10-of-16 shooting. Brian Connelly had 12 points and eight rebounds, while Brian Lillis added 10. Duke's Jon Scheyer and King scored 18 and 17, respectively, off the bench. Brian Zoubek, a 7'2" center, had all 13 of his points in the final period.

"The shots they made were not always contested,” said Brent Wilson, who had eight points and six rebounds. “When you give teams open looks like that they are going to make you pay. Playing here is a memory that we will cherish forever, but we need to use this game to help us move forward with our season."

University of Albany's Tim Ambrose earns Rookie of the Week honor

Cambridge, Mass. - Tim Ambrose was named the America East Conference’s men’s basketball rookie of the week after leading UAlbany to a 66-53 victory over St. Francis, N.Y. on Saturday, Dec. 15 at SEFCU Arena.

Ambrose, a 6-foot-0 freshman guard, scored all of his career-high 17 points in the second half, including six in a run of 15 that put the Great Danes in front for good. He posted career numbers in free throws (8) and steals (3) in just 16 minutes of action off the bench.

Ambrose, who reached double-figure scoring totals for the second time this season, becomes the second player to earn the conference’s rookie of the week honor, after classmate Josh Martin earned the honor on Nov. 26. Ambrose is averaging 8.4 points per game for the Great Danes on the season.

UAlbany / Duke Basketball Game Viewing Parties Announced

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany Alumni Association has viewing parties planned nationwide for the UAlbany-Duke basketball game on Monday, Dec. 17. The contest will be televised to more than 90 million homes on ESPN2. Mike Patrick and Len Elmore will be the announcers for the broadcast. Tip-off is 7:02 p.m. ET.

ESPN2 viewing parties are scheduled for Boston, Mass., Walnut Creek, Calif., Plainview, N.Y. on Long Island, Los Angeles, Calif., Nashville, Tenn., New York City, Durham, N.C., Philadelphia, Pa. and Washington, D.C. The Across the Street Pub will host an event for Capital Region fans. For more information contact Carmelina Morrison at csmorrison@uamail.albany.edu or 518-442-3084.

The Great Danes are traveling to one of the jewels of the sports world when they meet Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The facility seats 9,314 fans and has recorded 263 consecutive sellouts since 1990.

The Blue Devils, who are No. 6 nationally in the Associated Press poll and No. 7 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ rankings, are off to a perfect 9-0 start. Mike Krzyzewski, one of the winningest coaches in the history of the sport with 784 career victories, has led the program to three national titles (1991, 1992, 2001) and 10 Final Four appearances.

University of Albany Men's Basketball defeats St.Francis, heads down to Duke

Albany, N.Y. - Tim Ambrose came off the bench to score all 17 of his career-high total in the second half to lead UAlbany to a 66-53 victory over St. Francis, N.Y. on Saturday afternoon at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes snapped a three-game losing streak.

St. Francis (3-8) pushed out to a 31-24 lead with 15:47 remaining when Kayode Ayeni, who had 17 points, scored off a loose ball in the lane. UAlbany (5-4) responded with 15 unanswered over the next six-plus minutes. Ambrose, who fueled the run, followed up a missed jumper and hit two free throws. Brian Connelly, who totaled 15 points and nine rebounds, put his team ahead with a driving bank shot on the left baseline. Brian Lillis later made a one-hander on the right baseline, before Ambrose sank a pair of foul shots for a 39-31 cushion.

The Great Danes, who have won 20 of their last 22 home games, still led 39-36, but then pulled away with an 11-2 outburst. Ambrose made two free throws and a baseline jumper in that span. Jon Iati's three-pointer from left of the key provided his club with a 50-38 lead with 5:29 remaining.

"When you are coming off final exams you never know what you're going to get,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose team meets No. 6 Duke in its next game on Monday. “We practiced better than we played this week. Tim Ambrose brought a lot of energy off the bench. He has the talent and the ability, I just have to be patient with him."

The Terriers, who have dropped five straight, had two other players in double figures. Ricky Cadell finished with 14, while Marcus Williams had 10. Robert Hines, the team's top scorer, did not play due to a suspension. Lillis, a 6'5" senior, had 14 points and eight rebounds. Brent Wilson was the fourth UAlbany player in twin figures with 10.

In a first half where both teams struggled offensively, St. Francis reversed a 20-18 deficit with six straight points. Marcus Williams converted a back-door layup to put his team in front and then scored off a steal. The Terriers took a 24-22 lead to the locker room.

The Great Danes, who shot 34.8 percent and committed 12 turnovers in the period, led 14-9 midway through the half. But Ayeni, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, wiped out that margin by tallying seven points in a row, including a three-point field goal from the left corner.

"We just didn't have any energy from the beginning, and that's the older guys fault,” said Wilson. “(Tim) Ambrose and (Al) Turley stepped up and showed they are capable. They definitely have the talent and you saw a glimpse of that today. This (the win) was important because you don't want to go on this next stretch with a losing streak."

University of Albany School of Public Health Earns Full Seven-Year Accreditation from Council on Education for Public Health

Courtesy: University news ALBANY, N.Y. (December 6, 2007) -- The University at Albany's School of Public Health has received a full seven-year re-accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the accrediting body for Schools of Public Health. Seven is the maximum number of years granted by CEPH.

The University at Albany School of Public Health is one of only 40 fully-accredited Schools of Public Health in the nation, and the only School that is based upon a unique partnership between a research university and a state health department. The School is located at the University at Albany's East Campus in Rensselaer and also has academic departments in the Wadsworth Center at the New York State Department of Health.

"The University applauds the fine work of the faculty and staff of the School of Public Health in educating future generations of public health researchers and practitioners while concurrently assisting in the professional development of our local, regional and state public health workforce," said Interim President George M. Philip. "This achievement is a result of dedicated faculty and the unique opportunities offered through the University's partnership with the New York State Department of Health."

A team of public health representatives of CEPH that included public health academicians and practitioners conducted a three-day site visit was conducted at the School in April 2007. At the October 2007 meeting of the CEPH Board of Councilors, approval of the School of Public Health's request for re-accreditation was granted with a full seven-year re-accreditation.

"The unique and successful partnership between the University at Albany School of Public Health and the New York State Department of Health is demonstrated in the School's achievement of seven-year accreditation," said Richard Daines, MD, Commissioner of Health, New York State Department of Health. "The State Department of Health is proud to be part of this success in training the public health workforce and leaders."

"I congratulate the School of Public Health for this significant achievement," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "The school is the key academic component to what is becoming a thriving partnership of State government, higher education and private industry on the University's East Campus. It is through the fine work of its faculty and researchers that we will find the solution to today's health issues."

"Receiving a full seven-year re-accreditation speaks to the quality of our academic programs, faculty and research, and the efforts of many within our school," said Philip Nasca, dean of the School of Public Health. "I want to thank Edward L. Hannan and Edward Fitzgerald, co-chairs of the School's Accreditation Committee, for their work. The committee, comprising school leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members, prepared an in-depth self-study document, articulating how the school has achieved and, in some instances, exceeded the rigorous academic criteria defined by CEPH."

Among the School's faculty are two members of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, a Howard Hughes Institute Investigator, fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and a Fellow and former president of the American College of Epidemiology. The School also houses several well-regarded research centers including the Center for Public Health Preparedness, the Center for Health Workforce Studies, the Prevention Research Center, and the Northeast Public Health Leadership Institute. The School's award-winning Continuing Education Program trains public health practitioners from throughout the region and the state, and broadcasts original public health programming to all 50 states.

Through its partnership with the New York State Dept. of Health, UAlbany's School of Public Health offers students immediate access to internships at the Health Department, Albany Medical College, and variety of other public and private health institutions throughout New York. The school serves as the academic anchor of the East Campus, the biotech hub of the university's life sciences research, including the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics. Students have unique access to study the most profound health issues facing us today: the threat of bioterrorism, the spread of HIV/AIDS and other emerging diseases, the lack of affordable and accessible health care for individuals and families, environmental hazards, substance abuse and social violence, maternal mortality in developing countries, the promises and threats of genetic engineering, and protecting food and water supplies.

University of Albany Men's Basketball NCAA Moments

CBS 2006 NCAA 1st Round Albany gives UConn a scare

Photo: Courtesy of BigPurpleFans.com

UAlbany Baseball Announces Defending America East Champion's 2008 Baseball Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Wednesday, Dec. 12 the school's baseball schedule for the 2008 season. The Great Danes, who reached the NCAA Regionals for the first time in school history and captured their first-ever America East Conference championship last year, will play a four-game series against six conference opponents. The non-league schedule features Notre Dame along with perennial powers Coastal Carolina, Wofford and St. John’s.

UAlbany begins its ninth season at the NCAA Division I level on Friday, Feb. 22 in Clearwater, Fla. against Iowa, Liberty and Notre Dame, which reached the Big East Tournament for the sixth consecutive season in 2007. The Great Danes will end February and begin March with a four-game series at Wofford, the defending Southern Conference Champion. UAlbany will also visit Coastal Carolina of the Big South Conference. The Chanticleers were the Big South regular-season and tournament champions last season.

The Great Danes open up America East play at home with Hartford on April 4-6. Conference opponents Vermont and Stony Brook will also visit Varsity Field. UAlbany will hit the road to face Maine, Binghamton and UMBC this spring. The Great Danes will also host non-conference foes Manhattan, Marist, Le Moyne and New York Tech.

UAlbany posted a 29-29 record last season en route to winning its first-ever America East title. The Great Danes traveled to Fayetteville, Ark. to face the host Razorbacks and Creighton in NCAA play.

University of Albany's Jordan Levine on Inside Lacrosse/Face-Off Yearbook Division I Preseason All-America Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Baltimore, Md. – University at Albany’s Jordan Levine has been voted to the 2008 Inside Lacrosse Magazine’s Face-Off Yearbook Division I Preseason All-America Team. Levine, a first-team selection, heads a list of four Great Danes chosen. Corey Small earned preseason third-team recognition, while Craig McDonald and Brett Queener were picked in the honorable mention category.

Levine, a senior from Bethpage, N.Y., totaled 23 goals and 16 assists as a USILA All-America midfielder last year. He established the program’s Division I record with 91 ground balls. He was previously named by the national publication as a Tewaaraton Trophy candidate. Small, a junior attackman, had 24 goals and seven assists as a member of UAlbany’s high-powered offense. McDonald, a senior defenseman, and Queener, a senior goalkeeper, led a defensive unit that allowed 9.44 goals per game.

In addition, Face-Off Yearbook announced its preseason All-America East Conference squad. Senior attack Derek Dale and junior defenseman Garrett Pedley joined Levine, Small, McDonald and Queener on that list. UAlbany finished with a 15-3 record one year ago and reached the NCAA quarterfinal round. The Great Danes were ranked 10th in the final USILA national poll.

University of Albany's Michelle Simpson Named to ECAC Division I Field Hockey All-Star Squad

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Centerville, Mass. – University at Albany’s Michelle Simpson has been named to the ECAC Division I Field Hockey All-Star Team for the second consecutive season, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Simpson, who recently wrapped up her second season with the Great Danes, was named to the 2007 Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-America and NFHCA All-Northeast Regional squads. She earned America East Conference first-team honors for the second straight year after finishing with 13 goals and eight assists for 34 points.

UAlbany finished the season at 15-5 overall after falling to conference champion Boston University in the America East Championship on Nov. 4. The Great Danes finished No. 19 in the final NFHCA national rankings.

UAlbany Football Announces Postseason Team Awards

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany’s Michael Dungey received the most valuable player award at the football program’s postseason awards banquet, held at the Campus Center Ballroom. He also was voted the team’s top defensive lineman.

Dungey, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound senior, played both defensive tackle and end this season. He had 44 tackles with 11.5 hits for a loss, 5.5 sacks, two pass deflections and one fumble recovery. He led a defensive unit that ranks among the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision leaders in rushing yards allowed (118.3 ypg) and total defense (334.0). Dungey has 125 tackles and 11.5 sacks as a collegian.

Colin Disch earned the top linebacker award for the third consecutive season. He led the Great Danes in tackles with 70 and completed his career as the school’s all-time tackles leader (416). Jason Fralicker was named special teams MVP for the second year in a row. Fralicker, a senior placekicker, broke his own single-season record with 15 field goals and tied the single-game standard with three against both Colgate and Fordham. He was second on the team in scoring with 82 points (15-23 FGs, 37-39 PATs).

Sam Pagano (Colonie Central) picked up the best offensive lineman award. Pagano, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound left guard, blocked for a unit that averaged 208.3 rushing yards, 362.5 total yards and 28.4 points per game. Daniel Bocanegra, a junior flanker, garnered top receiver honors after hauling in 26 passes for 316 yards. He also averaged 7.2 yards per punt return. Dave Nicomini, a junior safety, won the defensive back award with 63 tackles, two pass break-ups and two fumble recoveries.

David McCarty (LaSalle Institute) earned the offensive back award. McCarty rushed for the third-highest single-season total in school history with 1,503 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ran for 100 or more yards in eight games, including six consecutive times to end the season. McCarty, a sophomore tailback, ranks among the nation’s top-10 leaders at 125.2 yards per game. Sophomore Vinny Esposito was named the team’s most improved player. Esposito, who finished the season with the program’s second-highest single-season passing yardage (1,810), started all 12 games under center for the Great Danes. He threw 12 touchdown passes and was named the Northeast Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 10.

UAlbany finished with an 8-4 record, matching its highest win total at the Division I FCS level. The Great Danes captured their third Northeast Conference championship by going undefeated in league play, and made a Gridiron Classic postseason appearance.

Guilderland QB gives oral committment to University of Albany Football

GUILDERLAND -- Andrew Smith wanted to be part of a program on the rise. The Guilderland High senior quarterback believes the University at Albany is such a place.

Sunday night, Smith called UAlbany coach Bob Ford to inform him of his oral commitment to play for the Great Danes in 2008.

Smith, who led the Dutchmen to Guilderland's first appearance in a Section II Class AA Super Bowl in November, selected UAlbany over New Hampshire, Hofstra, Pennsylvania and Delaware, which will be competing Friday in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision final.

"When I told coach Ford, he was at a banquet. He said he screamed," Smith said.

Smith will receive a full scholarship from UAlbany, something the school could not offer football players until now. The senior rushed for a team-high 850 yards and 16 touchdowns, passed for 491 yards, returned two punts for touchdowns and led the Dutchmen with six interceptions at safety.

Recruited by some schools for offense and others for defense, Smith made his official visit to UAlbany over the weekend.

"Coach Ford likes mobile quarterbacks," he said. "I wanted to play offense."

Smith, who plans to major in business, is currently playing for Guilderland's basketball team.

"I remember when (teammate) Brett Marfurt made his decision to go to Colgate. He said how much of a relief it was. I'm happy to be finished," Smith said. "I think I made the right choice."

Courtesy: James Allen

University of Albany Bestows Medallion of the University on Mayor Gerald D. Jennings for Extraordinary Service and Leadership

Gala honored Jennings on Saturday, Dec. 8 at SEFCU Arena

The University at Albany bestowed the Medallion of the University on Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings for extraordinary public service and leadership. The Medallion of the University is UAlbany's highest award for distinguished service. Jennings, who earned his master's degree in educational administration from the University in 1976, received the medallion at the winter commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 9th. There was a black-tie gala on Saturday, Dec. 8th in recognition of the award.

"The medallion is the highest award for distinguished service that the University at Albany confers," said UAlbany Interim President George M. Philip. "It expresses our admiration and appreciation for extraordinary public service and leadership. Those qualities are exemplified by Mayor Jennings, a visionary leader and one of our truly outstanding alums."

"It's an honor to be recognized by the University community with such a distinguished award," said Jennings. "I am proud to have graduated from this university, and I have been privileged to partner with UAlbany for the betterment of the city, its people and the entire community."

The Gala, themed "Great Man. Great City. Great University." was held at SEFCU Arena, and included a video tribute to the mayor, as well as musical performances by the Brian Patneaude Quartet and the UAlbany Earth Tones. The Gala wss sponsored by the University at Albany Alumni Association, Center for Economic Growth, DEPFA First Albany Securities LLC, SEFCU, KeyBank and the Times Union.

Jennings, in his fourth term, is the 74th mayor of the City of Albany, New York State's capital. Jennings successfully ran for election to the city's Common Council, serving the 11th Ward for 13 years before he won election as mayor in 1993. Under his leadership, the City of Albany in 1998 received the "City Livability Award" from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. In the same year, Albany and its mayor were awarded for promoting cooperative relations between government and the business community.

Mayor Jennings' commitment to education has led him to initiate and participate in programs for the safety of the many college students who live off campus and regularly visit local businesses. Through Jennings' steadfast leadership and commitment to his alma mater, the University has been able to partner on a wide range of initiatives with the City of Albany, including Operation Safe Corridor, UAlbany's downtown Student Housing and Revitalization Project at Alumni Quad, and the UAlbany Clean-Up Day of downtown neighborhoods. Jennings was also co-host of the New York State Summit on Preventing Student Alcohol Abuse.

Jennings also developed the Midtown Homeownership Program with area banks and universities to encourage college faculty and staff to invest in homes in the city.

In 1996, Jennings played a vital role in helping to bring the New York Giants Summer Training Camp to UAlbany. Next season the Giants will return UAlbany for the 13th consecutive summer, the longest tenure of any training camp location.

Recent winners of the Medallion of the University include philanthropist Michael H. Steinhardt (2004) and acclaimed author Carol Gilligan (2006).

University of Albany Volleyball Signs Three Recruits for 2008-09

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany volleyball team signed three recruits for the 2008-09 academic year, as announced by head coach Kelly Sheffield on Thursday afternoon. Laurie Gonzalez, Kelly Corkum and Kalyn Mostert will all join the Great Danes next season.

Gonzalez, a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, will arrive in the spring 2008 semester. A 5-foot-9 libero/outside hitter, Gonzalez was named the 2006-07 St. Francis School Student-Athlete of the Year and earned the top defense and loyalty awards. As a captain of the Borinquen Coqui Under-15 team in 2005, she led her squad to a 3rd place finish at the National Volleyball Festival. She also led St. Francis to a 5th-place finish at the 2006 AAU National Tournament in Orlando, Fla. Gonzalez was a three-time LACC All-District All-Star Selection in her scholastic career.

“Laurie is a stud in the backcourt,” said Sheffield. “She will be one of the great competitors that our program has had. She reads the court very well and her defensive range is very, very good.”

Corkum is a 6-foot-4 right side hitter from Toronto, Ontario. Corkum, who has only been playing competitive volleyball for three years, was the captain of her 2006-07 team and received the Award of Excellence in her first year playing at the under-16 provincials. Corkum, who is a member of the Scarborough Vipers club team, played on the Ontario Volleyball Association’s Region 5 team and was the Queens University Tournament MVP.

“We have tried to get bigger and more powerful players. Kelly certainly fits that mold,” offered Sheffield. “She will be a player that will be able to slow down other team’s outside attack. She is a lefty and that gives us another dynamic to our offense.”

Mostert also joins the Great Danes from Canada, hailing from Nepean, Ontario. Mostert stands 6-foot-2 and will play a combination of middle blocker, right side and outside hitter. She played on the under-16 indoor regional team at the Ontario Summer Games in 2006. As a member of the under-18 squad in 2006-07, she earned the Most Improved Player award. In the summer of 2007, Mostert had the opportunity to play for Team Ontario in the NTCC tournament, which took place in London, Ontario.

“Kalyn is a very versatile volleyball player,” said Sheffield. “She can hit everywhere along the net and all three tempos. She reads the court very well and her defensive range is very, very good.”

UAlbany recently claimed its third America East Conference Championship in the past four years. The Great Danes, who finished with a 24-10 record, also won their first-ever Division I NCAA Tournament match, a 3-0 victory over Cleveland State. UAlbany then dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 1 Penn State in the second round of the tournament.

“All three players have a great passion for the sport of volleyball and are tremendous competitors,” said Sheffield, who now boasts a 142-79 record in his seven seasons at the helm of the UAlbany program. “They are positive, hard-working and fun people to be around and all three are great students with very supportive families. These are players that will be fun to coach and I think our fans will really have fun watching.”

Men’s Basketball Downed by St. Bonaventure 58-54

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

St. Bonaventure, N.Y. – Michael Lee had 20 points, including the go-ahead basket with two minutes and 37 seconds remaining, as St. Bonaventure rallied for a 58-54 victory over UAlbany on Saturday evening at the Reilly Center.

St. Bonaventure (5-5) trailed 51-41 with seven minutes to play, but then ran off 15 unanswered points. Tyler Relph and Zarryon Fereti made back-to-back three-point field goals to begin that decisive stretch. Relph, who had all eight of his points during that span, tied the contest at 51 apiece by hitting a shot in the lane.

Lee, a 6-foot-9 forward who had 17 first-half points, put his team ahead for good when he buried a contested 15-footer in the lane. Relph, a senior guard, then drilled a long-range jumper from the left wing for a 56-51 advantage. The Great Danes, who went scoreless for nearly seven minutes, closed within a basket after Brent Wilson made a 3-pointer. But Fereti sealed the outcome by sinking a pair of free throws with 2.7 seconds to play.

UAlbany (4-4) erased a 37-29 deficit early in the final period with 11 consecutive points. Jon Iati, who had 12 points, hit one his four 3-pointers from the right side to start that uprising. Brian Lillis, who had 10 points and a career-high seven assists, converted a fastbreak layup and scored off his own steal to put his team ahead. Brian Connelly’s right-baseline jumper gave the visitors a 40-37 lead.

The Great Danes, who lost for the third straight time, still led 45-41, but expanded their margin with three consecutive baskets. Freshman guard Josh Martin fed Brett Gifford in the lane before finishing off a left-handed drive. Jimmie Covington made a jump hook to give his team its biggest lead.

"We only had two turnovers in the second half, and we had plenty of shots, we just couldn't hit them when we needed to,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose team shot just 30.6 percent in the second half. “I have to give St. Bonaventure credit for making big shots when they needed them. With each miss, we start thinking too much and that breaks us down on defense."

Wilson, who had 10 points, drained a three-point shot, as UAlbany took a 29-26 lead in the opening half. But the Bonnies tallied the final nine points of the period. Tyler Benson made a conventional three-point play when he was fouled on a fastbreak layup that provided his team with a 31-29 advantage. Lee, who grabbed eight rebounds and made 8-of-17 from the floor, added two free throws and scored with an offensive board off Fereti’s three-point miss.

Fereti finished with 12 points for the Bonnies, who have won three of four at home this season under first-year coach Mark Schmidt. The Great Danes, who did not attempt a free throw in the contest, shot 40.7 percent from the field and had just two of their 13 turnovers in the second half.

"We didn't communicate on defense,” added Lillis, who scored in double-digits for the seventh time in eight games this season. “We had our 5-man on their point guard, which isn't a good matchup, and he hit a big three."

Women’s Basketball Falls Late to Detroit Mercy 51-49

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Detroit, Mich. – Joyce Massey scored on a driving layup with four seconds remaining to give Detroit Mercy a 51-49 victory over UAlbany in women’s basketball action at the Calihan Hall on Saturday afternoon.

The Titans took their first lead of the second half, 49-47, with 38 seconds remaining on a layup by India Bruster. Charity Iromuanya tied the score at 49 with 25seconds left on a layup. After calling a time-out following Massey’s basket, TaNika Thrower received a full court pass from Britney McGee, but her game-tying fadeaway shot attempt rolled off the rim.

Detroit Mercy (1-7) opened the second half by cutting the lead to five, 30-25, with 16:59 remaining. UAlbany responded by scoring nine straight points to take a game-high 14 point lead. Kristin Higy ignited the run by hitting a three-pointer with 16:19 to play and McGee capped the streak with a pair of free throws to give the Great Danes a 39-25 advantage.

The Titans scored 20 of the game’s next 26 points over a span of 9:14 to tie the score at 45 with 3:09 remaining in the contest. Bruster, who tallied a team-high 11 points and a game-high 18 rebounds in the contest, started the comeback with a layup. Massey contributed four points and Sandi Brown added five points in the run to spark the Titans. Brown’s two foul shots with 3:09 left knotted the score at 45. Freshman Janea Aiken hit two free throws as UAlbany re-took the lead with just over three minutes remaining. Detroit Mercy got a foul shot each from Massey and Bruster to lead to the dramatics of the final minute.

“Our team has to learn how to finish out games on the road,” commented UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, whose team remains winless in eight games on the road this season. “We need more maturity and team chemistry and five people playing together.”

The Titans jumped out to an early 6-0 lead 3:13 into the first half on a layup by Shawan Stubblefield. UAlbany scored the next nine points, holding the Titans scoreless for over four minutes, capped off by a Higy layup at the 12:46 mark. Britney McGee ignited the run by getting the Great Danes on the board with a foul shot at the 16:35 mark.

After trading baskets in which Detroit Mercy tied the score at 12, UAlbany went on an 11-3 run to jump out to a 23-15 lead with 3:55 remaining in the opening half. Higy bookended the run with a free throw to start the streak and capped it with a jump shot at the 3:55 mark. McGee scored four points in the run and Iromuanya added four of her nine first half points in the stretch. Detroit Mercy scored five of the final eight points of the half to go into the intermission with the Great Danes leading 26-20.

UAlbany (1-9) had three players in double-digits, led by Higy with 12 points. McGee added 11 points and Iromuanya recorded 11 points off the bench. Gia Sanders led UAlbany with eight rebounds, while McGee pulled down seven.

University of Albany's School of Education Garners Three National Top 10 Rankings

Courtesy: University at Albany

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 28, 2007) -- Doctoral programs in reading, curriculum and instruction, and educational psychology at the University at Albany's School of Education are among the top 10 nationally, according to Academic Analytics, a company that conducts data collection and reporting for the field of higher education.

The rankings were based on the Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index -- launched by Academic Analytics in 2005 -- which evaluates more than 7,400 doctoral programs in 172 disciplines in 375 institutions. The index also ranks institutions in broader categories, such as humanities and biological sciences, as well as institutions as a whole.

"These national rankings reflect the outstanding quality of the faculty. I applaud their work and I'm delighted to see their accomplishments recognized in such a significant forum," said Susan D. Phillips, dean of the School of Education.

The index measures the scholarly productivity of faculty using their publications, citations and financial and honorary awards. The FSP analysis creates, by academic field of study, a ranking based on the cumulative scoring of a program's faculty using these measures compared against national standards within the particular discipline. Individual program scores can then be combined to demonstrate the quality of the scholarly work of the entire university.

The UAlbany School of Education is one of the oldest public schools of education in New York State. It is the second largest school at the University and consistently ranks among the best graduate schools of education in the nation. The School comprises four academic departments, where students pursue doctoral, masters, and graduate certificate programs in areas of study such as educational leadership and policy, educational technology, literacy, elementary, secondary, and special education, and counseling, school, and educational psychology.

The School of Education is one of the leaders of literacy research and instruction in the nation and houses several large-scale nationally funded research projects on literacy, including the Center on English Learning & Achievement, the Child Research Study Center, and the Capital District Chapter of the National Writing Project. The School is also a leader in mathematics and science education, including the National Science Foundation studies of equity in mathematics education, and leadership on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) international panels and the New York State Math Education panel. It recently joined IBM's Transition to Teaching initiative to help fill the nationwide need for qualified math and science teachers.

University of Albany Researchers Discover that a Handshake Could Signal High Quality Genes

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 16, 2007) -- Handgrip strength is an important measure of health and reproductive fitness, according to findings of University of Albany researchers Andrew C. Gallup, Daniel D. White and Gordon G. Gallup published in the November 2007 issue of Evolution and Human Behavior.

Although it can be influenced by nutrition and exercise, handgrip strength is highly heritable. In addition, grip strength is a ubiquitous measure of health and vitality in both men and women, and as grip strength increases so does a person's overall health status, speed of postoperative recovery, and longevity. People with higher grip strength scores experienced reduced disability, reduced morbidity, and more rapid recovery from injury, and also have higher bone mineral density and greater fat free body mass.

The authors also report that handgrip strength is an honest signal of genetic quality in males. Male college students with stronger grip strength scores had more masculine physical features, reported being more aggressive in middle and high school and had more reproductive opportunities than their peers.

In a sample of more than 140 college students, the researchers obtained measures of handgrip strength using a hand-held dynamometer. In addition to recording left and right handgrip strengths, they recorded particular body morphological measurements. The college students were also asked to fill out brief surveys about their sexual history and their social experiences in middle and high school.

The study concluded that male handgrip strength scores predicted aggression and social dominance in adolescence, broader shoulders and narrower hips, and an increase in reproductive opportunities. Grip strength accounted for more than 10 percent of the variance in promiscuity among college-age males. Although handgrip strength predicted many of the same health variables in females, it did not predict any of the behavioral or morphological features measured in the study.

Study author and UAlbany evolutionary psychologist Gordon Gallup surmises that the relevance of handgrip strength to health in humans may be embedded in our evolutionary past. "Unique to the evolutionary history of humans and all primates were complex adaptations to life in the trees. As a result, handgrip strength was featured prominently in patterns of brachiating, or moving through the canopy, as well as in minimizing the chances of falling," he said.

The researchers found nearly non-overlapping distributions between male and female grip strengths, stating, "Whereas handgrip strength is a powerful indicator of health and vitality in both men and women, in the present study we found that its relationship to sexual behavior and body morphology was restricted almost exclusively to men."

The authors conclude that the dramatic sex differences between males and females might be the consequence of primitive division of labor that emerged after early humans came down out of the trees and put a premium on the maintenance of grip strength in men. The authors suspect that one of the leading factors in accounting for handgrip strength among males is testosterone levels.

Courtesy: University at Albany

UAlbany Women's Basketball Falls to Buffalo, 70-69, in Overtime

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Stephanie Bennett hit a 3-pointer with 2:17 left in overtime to lead Buffalo to a 70-69 win over UAlbany in women’s basketball action at the SEFCU Arena on Wednesday evening.

The Bulls’ Heather Turner sank two free throws with 23 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 63-63. Britney McGee attempted a 3-pointer and teammate Amira Ford gathered the rebound but was unable to get the ball in the hoop, sending the game to overtime. McGee scored first in the extra period to give the Great Danes’ a two-point lead, but Buffalo tied the game on the next possession on a jumper by Dortae Freeman.

Jamie Schiebner hit two free throws at 3:03, while McGee made one-of-two to keep the Bulls in front. Charity Iromuanya followed with one free throw to tie the game for the sixth time at 67-all before Bennett knocked down her three from the top of the arc. Iromuanya pulled the Great Danes back within one with two more from the charity stripe with 35 seconds left on the clock, and Kristin Higy grabbed a rebound on the defensive end, but UAlbany could not get a final shot off in the last five ticks.

UAlbany (1-8) battled back from a 8-point, 40-32, halftime deficit, outscoring Buffalo 19-9 over a nine-minute span in the second half to tie the game at 59-59 with 3:17 left in the game. The Great Danes, who made a season-high 11 3-point field goals in the game, hit four treys in that span, including one by Higy that tied the score. The teams traded baskets on possessions before Iromuanya made a steal on Freeman and handed the ball off to Higy who scored in the paint to give UAlbany its first lead of the game at 63-61. Higy fouled Turner on the next possession which resulted in the tying free throw shots.

“This is the best loss we’ve had,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, whose team shot a season-high 39.3 percent from 3-point range. “This is a momentum swing for us. We got in a deep hole, but we had people step up. We’ve had a slow start, but we’re trying to be the best team we can be in January and February and this is a step forward.”

Iromuanya led all players with a game and career-high 20 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists and two steals en route to being named the America East Conference Player of the Game. McGee added a career-best 19 points, six boards, three assists and three steals while Higy chipped in with 12 points and a team-best seven rebounds.

Jessica Fortman led Buffalo with 19 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, one steal and one assist. Turner finished with a double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down a game-high 11 caroms. Bennett, who went 4-for-6 from 3-point land to lead the Bulls to a 64.3 percent shooting percentage from long range, added 14 points for Buffalo (5-3).

UAlbany will continue non-conference play with a road trip to Detroit Mercy on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m.

Men's Basketball Lose on the Road to Delaware 71-60

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Newark, Del. -- Herb Courtney scored 19 points and Alphonso Dawson added 18 in leading Delaware to a 71-60 victory over UAlbany on Wednesday evening at Bob Carpenter Sports Center.

Delaware (2-4) took command early in the final period by turning a three-point halftime lead into a 40-30 cushion with 16:18 remaining. Courtney, a 6'7" forward, made three free throws, before Dawson canned a 3-pointer from the right corner. Dawson, a freshman, had 14 of his 18 points in the second half.

UAlbany (4-3) sliced that double-figure lead in half on several occasions, including 52-47 with 7:55 to play when Jerel Hastings converted a jump hook in the lane. But the Blue Hens responded with nine of the game's next 10 points to pull away. Dawson made a left-baseline jumper and Brian Johnson followed with a three-pointer from the left wing to ignite that decisive run.

The Blue Hens, who made 30 of 47 from the free throw line, scored their final 14 points from the charity stripe. Sam McMahon was the third Delaware player in double figures with 11. Johnson added nine points and five assists for the Blue Hens, who converted 16 UAlbany turnovers into 22 points.

Brian Connelly posted career-highs with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Brian Lillis added 12 points for the Great Danes, who made just 2-of -18 from beyond the 3-point arc. UAlbany lost for the second straight time after winning four in a row.

"We were outworked on both ends of the floor and we got what we deserved, a loss,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose team falls to 1-3 on the road this season. “They played harder and smarter than us. We had poor execution and we are not good enough to turn the ball over that much."

UAlbany trailed early in the contest, but came back to take a 16-14 lead when Brent Wilson drilled a three-point field goal from the right corner. Delaware later went on an 11-2 run to go back in front. Courtney buried a long-range jumper to give his team the lead. Dawson made consecutive baskets, before Johnson's driving shot in transition built a 27-20 advantage.

The Blue Hens, who were coming off a victory in their conference opener on Monday, took a 31-28 lead to the locker room. The Great Danes, who had 10 first-half turnovers, stayed close at the break behind the play of Connelly. The 6-foot-6 junior had 12 points in the period on 6-of-10 shooting.

"They got to every loose ball,” added Connelly, who scored in double-digits for the third straight game. “They beat us up on the offensive glass and got rebounds off missed free throws. We didn't seem to have any energy at the start. They made some shots early and gained confidence. We hung our heads at times."

University of Albany's Liam Gleason Chosen in Major League Lacrosse Supplemental Draft

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Former University at Albany men's lacrosse player Liam Gleason was chosen 33rd overall in the fourth round of the Major League Lacrosse supplemental draft, held on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Gleason was picked by the New Jersey Pride, joining former Great Dane teammate Merrick Thomson.

Gleason, a 2007 UAlbany graduate, played in 17 games last season, scoring one goal and picking up nine groundballs. A 6-foot-4 defenseman, Gleason played two seasons with the Great Danes after transferring from Adelphi University. A native of Wading River, N.Y., Gleason made 28 appearances in his UAlbany career and graduated in May with a degree in sociology.

University of Albany's Greene Named America East Indoor Track Performer of the Week

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany’s Joe Greene has been named the America East indoor track Performer of the Week, as announced by the conference office for the week ending Dec. 3.


Greene, a junior from Geneva, N.Y., opened the 2007-08 season at the Husky Winter Carnival hosted by Northeastern by taking first in the 55-meter hurdles in 7.69 seconds, qualifying for the IC4A meet in March. The time was a personal-best and the seventh-fastest 55-meter hurdle time in program history. Greene also ran the anchor leg of the first place 4x400-meter relay team that crossed the finish line in an IC4A-qualifying time of 3:19.21.

The Great Danes return to the track on Friday, Jan. 11 at the Army Invitational in West Point, N.Y.

Inside Lacrosse Selects University of Albany as America East Conference Preseason Favorite

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Baltimore, Md. – Inside Lacrosse released today Face-Off Yearbook’s preseason conference rankings for the America East Conference. UAlbany has been chosen to defend last year’s conference championship as voted by the America East coaches.

The Great Danes are coming off an NCAA quarterfinal appearance where they were edged by top-ranked Cornell, 12-11, in overtime. Inside Lacrosse chose that nailbiter as the Game of the Year. UAlbany has won four of the last five America East championships after establishing a school-record 15-3 mark last season.

Scott Marr, the 2007 USILA national coach of the year, has 24 letterwinners returning. The Great Danes lost the program’s two all-time leading scorers, but return quality talent led by second-team All-America midfielder Jordan Levine. Goalkeeper Brett Queener and defenseman Craig McDonald were first-team all-conference selections. Midfielders Mike Ammann and Steve Ammann and defenseman Craig Pedley earned second-team All-America East recognition.

Lax Notes: UAlbany’s Jordan Levine has been listed among Inside Lacrosse’s Top 10 Tewaaraton Trophy candidates for 2008 ... Levine, a senior midfielder, had 23 goals and 16 assists in 2007, plus established the program’s Division I single-season record with 91 ground balls ... Inside Lacrosse picked Princeton (Ivy league), Notre Dame (Great Western Lacrosse League) and Siena (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) as the preseason favorites in their conference ... Princeton, Notre Dame and Siena appear on UAlbany’s schedule ...

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse Schedule 2008

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

The Great Danes, who reached the NCAA quarterfinal round and captured their fourth America East Conference championship last year, will play five games against conference opponents. The non-league schedule features former national championship programs Johns Hopkins, Princeton and Syracuse.

UAlbany begins its ninth season at the NCAA Division I level on Saturday, Feb. 23 against defending national champion Johns Hopkins. The Blue Jays have won nine NCAA titles in their history, including last year's overtime win versus Duke. The Great Danes will meet four other teams who made NCAA appearances last season, with trips in March to Notre Dame and Final Four participant Delaware. Syracuse, a nine-time national title winner, and Massachusetts, the 2006 NCAA runner-up, are also among the non-league opponents. UAlbany will face the Orange in the Carrier Dome for the fifth consecutive season on Friday, April 18.

The Great Danes have an attractive home slate highlighted by a date with perennial power Princeton on Saturday, March 22. The Tigers have captured six national championships since 1992 under head coach Bill Tierney's direction. Yale, Drexel and Siena will also invade John Fallon Field during the season.

UAlbany has three conference home games, including a pair of late April clashes with Vermont and Stony Brook. The Great Danes have won four of the last five America East championships after establishing a school-record 15-3 mark one year ago. The America East postseason tournament, slated for May 1-3, will be held at the highest seed's home facility.

Scott Marr, the 2007 USILA national coach of the year, has 24 letterwinners returning from a squad that advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals before losing in overtime to top-ranked Cornell. The Great Danes lost the program's two all-time leading scorers, but return quality talent led by second-team All-America midfielder Jordan Levine (23 goals, 16 assists). Goalkeeper Brett Queener (9.68 GAA) and defenseman Craig McDonald (55 ground balls) were first-team all-conference selections. Mike Ammann (11 goals, 20 assists) and Steve Ammann (13 goals, 9 assists) earned second-team All-America East honors in the midfield, along with defenseman Garrett Pedley. UAlbany's incoming class features Brian Caufield and Derek Speziale, who are ranked among the top 100 freshmen by Inside Lacrosse.

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2008 UAlbany Men's Lacrosse Schedule

February
23 (Sat.), at Johns Hopkins, 12:00;
26 (Tue.), Siena, 2:00

March
1 (Sat.), at Notre Dame, 1:00;
8 (Sat.), at Delaware, 1:00;
11 (Tue.), at Massachusetts, 3:00;
15 (Sat.), Drexel, 1:00;
22 (Sat.), Princeton, 1:00;
29 (Sat.), Binghamton*, 1:00.

April
5 (Sat.), at Hartford*, 1:00;
8 (Tue.), Yale, 7:00;
12 (Sat.), at UMBC*, 1:00;
18 (Fri.), at Syracuse, 7:00;
20 (Sun.), Vermont*, 1:00,
26 (Sat.), Stony Brook*, 7:00

May
1 (Thu.), at America East Conference Tournament+;
3 (Sat.), at America East Conference Tournament+.

*America East Conference Opponent +Played at No. 1 Seed's Home Facility All Times Eastern

University of Albany's Athletic Director Lee McElroy Attends NACDA-National Football League Diversity Summit

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

New York, N.Y. -- University at Albany's Lee McElroy attended a Diversity Summit hosted by the National Association of Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the National Football League on Monday, Dec. 3. The one-day conference was held at the NFL’s League Office.

NCAA President Myles Brand and NCAA Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Charlotte Westerhaus spoke on minority hiring practices, developing mentorship programs and developing a knowledge network. NFL Director of Football Operations Gene Washington talked about hiring head football coaches. Superintendent of the United States Military Academy Buster Hagenbeck lectured on the value of diversity as it relates to student-athletes and institutions.

NACDA Executive Director Mike Cleary, Ohio State Director of Athletics Gene Smith and Virginia Director of Athletics Craig Littlepage were also in attendance.

America East Baseball: Chatham's Kraham signs with UAlbany

CHATHAM - With his father John, mother Michelle, and sisters Sarah and Katie at his side, Chatham senior Zach Kraham signed his national letter of intent to play baseball for the University of Albany Great Danes Thursday, November 29, at the Chatham High School.

While his family was at his side, it is the one who is no longer with him who gives him the motivation to excel. "My sister Meghan is my motivation," Kraham said of his sister, who passed away this past summer. "Every time I step on the field, I'm doing it for her."

The three-sport star has been the four-year starting quarterback for the football team, is playing in his fourth season of varsity basketball and excelled on the baseball diamond for his first three years of high school. He will be the Panthers' ace on the mound yet again for this, his senior season.

Last year, Kraham went 7-0 with 3 saves on the mound for the Panthers, posting a 1.27 ERA and striking out 80 batters. "I hope to win the Patroon [Conference] this year and make a run at states," he said. "That's our goal coming into every season."

With interest from University of Connecticut, Lemoyne and Siena, a few things about UAlbany stood out for Kraham and made the Great Danes the choice for the young star.
"It's close to home, the athletics are on the rise and coach [Jon] Mueller really showed he cared," said Kraham. "[Mueller] called the most and came to watch me play, and he's a small-town guy like me."

Despite the thought of playing both football and baseball crossing his mind, Kraham has decided to focus solely on baseball. "I talked to my dad and my uncle, who played both sports in college, and they told me what a toll it takes on your body," Kraham said of his decision. One thing is clear: whether you're talking to someone about Kraham or whether you're talking to him yourself, he remains grounded, despite his immense skills on the fields.

"This is every father's dream," said John Kraham. "The big thing is with all the attention he's been getting, he's friends with all types of kids and he's stayed humble." His future coach, Jon Mueller echoed those sentiments: "His makeup-and not just physically either-makes him special. The way he carries himself, he's polite and he's humble, which is a rare quality in a kid that is so talented."

The goals he, his family and Coach Muller have for him remain tied to both his athletic ability and his hard work in the classroom. "I'm going to major in education and then get my master's in physical education to be a gym teacher," said Kraham. "He's going there to get a good education, hopefully do well and maybe get to the next level," said the elder Kraham. "Zach has so much raw ability that's untapped," said Mueller. "He might be the most talented kid we've ever signed in my 10 years here."

Outside of sports, Kraham also loves to hunt and fish despite the fact that, as he says, "my sisters make fun of me for it and tell me I'm weird." It's easy to tell, after talking to him for a brief time, Kraham is a well-rounded kid who, despite all his natural talent, is quick to share in his accomplishments. When asked who helped him get to this stage, it's almost easier to list who he doesn't think has helped him: "My dad, my uncles, the fan support, all the coaches-they've all helped me get to where I'm at."

By: GREG DEDRICK

UAlbany's Luke Schoen Sets Indoor Track Record in Pole Vault at Husky Winter Carnival

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Boston, Mass. -- University at Albany's Luke Schoen won the pole vault with a school-record height to highlight the Great Danes’ performance at Northeastern University’s Husky Winter Carnival at the Reggie Lewis Center.

Schoen set the UAlbany indoor record, previously held by James Nixon since 1993, when he cleared a height of 16-feet, 4.75-inches to place first in the event. The Great Danes won five events on the afternoon.

Junior Joe Greene picked up the first victory of the day in the 55-meter hurdles, crossing the line in 7.69 seconds. The UAlbany 4x400-meter relay team consisting of Greene, Lynval Clarke, Andrew Overbaugh and Felipe Reyes (Christian Brothers Academy) finished first in a time of 3:19.21, qualifying for the IC4A competition in March. Freddie Wills recorded a first-place finish in the long jump (23' 6.25") and Dong Ning Hu recorded the meet’s longest triple jump (44’ 9.5”). Wills also placed second in the 55-meter hurdles in a time of 7.79. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias was second in the weight throw (55’-3.5”) in his collegiate debut.

In the women's competition, freshman Tiffany Sprenkels won the triple jump and qualified for the ECAC meet with a leap of 39-7.25. UAlbany received a second-place finish from Brenna Militello in the high jump (5’ 4”). Kadine Johnson finished third in the weight throw with a toss of 44’9.75” and Octavia Clarkson crossed the line third in the 500-meter dash (1:19.93).

UAlbany returns to the track on Friday, Jan. 11 at the Army Invitational in West Point, N.Y.

-agate-

Husky Winter Carnival (Boston, Mass.)

UAlbany Results –

55 Meter Dash: 3. Pat Weider 6.51, 5. Felipe Reyes 6.56, 13. Raphael Jean-Baptiste 6.74, 23. Drew Harrison 6.86. 200 Meter Dash: 9. Jeffery Barnes 23.21, 16. Torshiro Jenkins 23.52. 500 Meter Dash: 9. Alan Nimblette 1:06.55, 10. Lynval Clarke 1:06.69, 11. Andrew Overbaugh 1:06.75, 21. Nick Lemp 1:07.73. 55 Meter Hurdles: 1. Joe Greene 7.69, 2. Freddie Wills 7.79, 6. David Parker 7.96, 11. Anthony Assent 8.13, 12. Nick Assini 8.28. 4x400 Meter Relay: 1. UAlbany “A” 3:19.21, 5. UAlbany “B” 3:25.08, 26. UAlbany “C” 3:41.15. High Jump: T3. David Parker 6-2. Pole Vault: 1. Luke Schoen 16-4.75, 3. Michael Dempsey 15-9, 4. David Parker 15-5, Nick Jones NH. Long Jump: 1. Freddie Wills 23-6.25, 2. Valete Graham 23-5.25, 3. Fred Casimo 22-1.75, 6. Kyle Nadler 21-10, 44. Nick Jones 15-11.75. Triple Jump: 1. Dong Ning Hu 44-9.5, C.J. Ross Foul. Shot Put: 3. Renauld Buck 46-10.75, 12. Frank Fazzino 43-6, 50. Nick Jones 28-5. Weight Throw: 2. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias 55-3.5, 5. Will Anger 51-8.25, 13. Kevin Lee 44-7.


Husky Winter Carnival (Boston, Mass.)

UAlbany Results –

55 Meter Dash: 20. Sandy Antenor 7.67, 21. Jenn Gurrant 7.67, 23. Sarah Lapierre 7.74, 24. Jessica Antoniades 7.75, 32. Arielle Roberts 7.84. 200 Meter Dash: 29. Arielle Roberts 27.75, 51. Sarah Lapierre 28.56. 400 Meter Dash: 10. Rebecca Kelly 1:02.46. 500 Meter Dash: 3. Octavia Clarkson 1:19.93, 7. Melissa Lee 1:21.67, 9. Laura Bolognino 1:22.09. 800 Meter Run: 4. Zuliana Fontanez 2:22.04. 55 Meter Hurdles: 11. Valerie Maignan 9.04. 4x400 Meter Relay: 4. UAlbany “A” 4:00.8, 14. UAlbany “B” 4:16.76. High Jump: 2. Brenna Militello 5-4, Denise Parker NH, Danielle Broeker NH. Pole Vault: 16. Corinna Hengen 9-0.25, Krystal Myers NH. Long Jump: 18. Jenn Gurrant 16-5.25, 37. Valerie Maignan 13-7. Triple Jump: 1. Tiffany Sprenkels 39-7.25, 3. Sandy Antenor 37-5.75, 7. Traequanda Brock 35-3. Shot Put: 12. Ashley Lewis 34-11.75. Weight Throw: 3. Kadine Johnson 44-9.75, 7. Ritshell Verdier 43-3.75, 20. Candice Mann 33-2.5.

UAlbany Men's Basketball Edged By Crosstown-Rival Siena, 75-71, at Times Union Center

Albany, N.Y. – Forward Alex Franklin scored 24 points, including 13 in the first half, to lead Siena to a 75-71 win over UAlbany in non-conference men’s basketball action at the Times Union Center on Saturday, Dec. 1 to claim the 2007 Albany Cup in front of 13,262 fans, the highest-ever attendance for the rivalry game. UAlbany falls to 4-2 on the season, while crosstown-rival Siena evens its record at 3-3 on the season.

After Brian Lillis converted a conventional three-point play to open the second half, Siena went on a 15-2 run, including a 13-0 stretch, to take their largest lead of the game at 20, 58-38 with just under 13 minutes remaining in the game. Kenny Hasbrouck scored four points and Chris De La Rosa capped the streak with a jumpshot at the 12:35 mark.

UAlbany held the Saints scoreless over the next 8:17, and scored 16 straight points, to pull within 58-54 with just under five minutes remaining in the game. Tim Ambrose scored the first five points of the run for UAlbany with a three-pointer and two foul shots to close the gap to 15. Brian Connelly hit two shots around a three-pointer and layup by Brent Wilson bring UAlbany within six at the 5:25 mark. Freshman Josh Martin converted a driving layup at the 4:50 mark to cap the Great Danes’ run.

Ambrose converted a conventional three-point play following three points by Franklin to get the Great Danes back within four at the 4:05 mark. Siena scored seven of the game’s next nine points, including four by Franklin to take a nine point advantage with just under two and a half minutes remaining. After Josh Duell hit a foul shot to put Siena up 71-62, UAlbany scored nine of the contest’s final 13 points. Wilson hit a three with 39 seconds left and Connelly made a layup to bring the Great Danes within four with 32 seconds left. Jon Iati converted two foul shots with 21 seconds left and Brian Lillis made a layup with six seconds remaining to pull to within two at 73-71, but Franklin hit two foul shots to end the game’s scoring.

Siena used two three-pointers by Kenny Hasbrouck to jump out to an 8-0 lead just over one and a half minutes into the contest. UAlbany scored the next eight points to even the score at eight with 15:40 remaining in the opening half on a jump shot by Brian Connelly.

The Saints scored seven of the next 12 points to take a 15-13 lead with 12 and a half minutes remaining. Siena then scored 17 consecutive points over a four minute span to jump out to a 32-13 lead. Franklin scored 10 points in the stretch to give the Saints their biggest lead of the opening half.

UAlbany closed the half scoring 20 of the final 31 points to going into intermission down by 10, 43-33. Wilson hit two three-pointers, Lillis converted two baskets and Jon Iati hit a three-pointer in the stretch to lead the Great Danes.

“We got down early and I think we were a little shell-shocked,” said Iati, who finished with seven points in his fifth appearance in the crosstown-rivalry game. “We kept battling back, no matter what, I think that’s the good thing we can take from this game. No matter what the circumstances were, we still battled.”

Wilson and Lillis each recorded double-doubles for UAlbany. Wilson scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, while Lillis tallied 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out six assists. Franklin led the Saints with 10 rebounds to go along with his 24 points. Hasbrouck registered 18 points, Ronald Moore scored 14, and Edwin Ubiles scored 10 as Siena has four players in double-figures.

“We knew it was important to control the tempo,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown. “We thought we had some tricks up our sleeves for them, but we missed some free throws and didn’t make the big plays when we needed to. We never got in sync offensively, although we did some good things defensively, especially in the end.”

UAlbany Women’s Basketball Drops Albany Cup to Siena 61-50

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - Guard Melissa Manzer scored 15 points, including 12 in the second half, to lead Siena to a 61-50 win over UAlbany in non-conference women’s basketball at the Times Union Center on Saturday, Dec. 1. UAlbany drops to 1-7 on the season, while cross-town rival Siena evens its record at 4-4.

The Saints used a 15-7 run over the final five minutes to pull away from UAlbany to capture the Albany Cup for the fifth time in six years. Manzer scored all 12 of her second half points in the run, including hitting back-to-back three-pointers to extend Siena’s lead to 52-43 with 2:49 remaining and six foul shots in the final minute to close out the game.

UAlbany used an 11-0 run mid-way through the second half to pull within 46-43 with 5:48 left in the contest. Junior guard TaNika Thrower keyed the run by scoring four points and capped the streak with a lay-up to pull the Great Danes within three. Manzer ended the Saints almost four minute scoring drought with the first of her two second half three-pointers.

“We fought hard,” said UAlbany coach Trina Patterson of her team’s second half comeback. “We’ve been chasing. I don’t want to be chasing teams because that takes a lot of energy. I want to be chasing teams.”

Thrower scored UAlbany’s first five points of the game, as the Great Danes jumped out to a 7-3 lead just under three minutes into the contest. Siena rattled off the next 11 points to take a 14-7 advantage at the 12:42 mark. Laura Menty scored six consecutive points on two baskets and two foul shots to key the stretch.

After UAlbany pulled back within five on a jumper by freshman Kim Clements, the Saints jumped out to their biggest lead of the first half with a 9-0 run to take a 27-13 lead on consecutive Shondaya Burrell lay-ups. UAlbany scored seven of the final nine points of the half to go into intermission trailing 29-20. Sophomore Charity Iromuanya hit a three-pointer at the 3:17 mark for the Great Danes to end Siena’s run.

Thrower led the Great Danes with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 13 points in the second stanza, while Iromuanya netted seven points. Senior Kristin Higy led UAlbany with six rebounds. Menty was the high-scorer for Siena with 16 points, 10 of which came in the opening half. Burrell tallied 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds in the contest.

UAlbany Volleyball Falls to Penn State in Second Round of NCAA Tournament

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University Park, Pa. – Nicole Fawcett’s 17 kills led Penn State to a 3-0 win over the University at Albany in the NCAA Volleyball Championship second round on Saturday night at Rec Hall. With the win, the Nittany Lions advance to the Sweet 16 Regional that will also be held at Rec Hall on December 7-8. The Great Danes concluded their most successful season in program history with a 24-10 overall record.

The Nittany Lions, who improved to 30-2 with the win, swept the match with scores of 30-15, 30-9 and 30-19.

In game one, Penn State jumped out to a 3-0 lead courtesy of a pair of kills from Alisha Glass and Fawcett and a block assist from Fawcett and Arielle Wilson, but UAlbany fought back to cut the score to a 3-2 deficit. The Great Danes tied the score at 4-4 on a Brooke Stanley kill and stayed close until the Nittany Lions went on a 10-3 run to break open the game and give Penn State a 19-11 lead. The Nittany Lions closed out the match with an 11-4 spurt to put the game away. Penn State hit a tenacious .692, with Fawcett leading the way with seven kills. Valerie Sourbeer had four kills for the Great Danes who hit just .200.

The Nittany Lions picked up game two where they left off, jumping out to a 6-2 lead and building a commanding 23-7 margin thanks in part to another outstanding hitting effort at .660 percent combined with 11 UAlbany attack errors. Penn State closed out the second game with a 7-2 scoring streak and took a 2-0 lead in the match. Fawcett and Megan Hodge each had five kills for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State stamped their ticket to the regional finals taking the third and decisive game. The Nittany Lions built a 7-2 lead before a Kate Eckhardt kill and a Teresa Coppiellie service ace cut the lead to 7-4. Penn State extended its lead to 14-6 before UAlbany rattled off four consecutive points led by an Amanda Cowdrey kill and service ace to cut the deficit to 14-9. The Nittany Lions went on a 6-0 run to lead 20-9, but split the next 10 points to lead 25-15. The Great Danes, refusing to go down without a fight, posted the next two points on a Penn State attack error and a Kamisha Kellam kill. Back-to-back kills by Fawcett increased the Nittany Lions’ lead to 28-17. Blair Brown smacked a kill for Penn State, followed by an attack error on the Great Danes to seal the win.

Sourbeer led UAlbany with six kills, while Cowdrey, Eckhardt and Kellam finished with five apiece. Tawny Dahmes led the Great Danes defensively, finishing with nine digs.

Penn State got a double-double from Hodge, who finished with 11 kills and a team-high 12 digs. Christa Harmotto added 13 kills for the Nittany Lions, who outblocked the Great Danes, 5-1. Penn State dominated at the net, hitting .602 to UAlbany’s .120.

UAlbany Falls to Dayton in Gridiron Classic 42-21

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Dayton, Ohio -- Quarterback Kevin Hoyng passed for 316 yards and accounted for four touchdowns, three passing and one receiving, in leading No. 24 Dayton to a 42-21 victory over UAlbany in the second annual Gridiron Classic on Saturday afternoon at Welcome Stadium.

Dayton (11-1) secured its first mid-major national title since 2002. The Pioneer Football League co-champion should be awarded The Sports Network Cup when the final poll is released on Monday. UAlbany, the Northeast Conference champion, finished with an 8-4 record.

The Flyers, who ran off seven consecutive wins to end the season, broke a 14-14 tie in the third quarter with 21 unanswered points. Hoyng, the Gridiron Classic MVP, directed his team on a 12-play drive for the go-ahead points. He tossed a 6-yard scoring pass to tight end Matt Champa in the right corner of the end zone with 9:30 left in the period.

Dayton reached paydirt with a pair of long drives on its next two possessions. Hoyng, who connected on 34 of 45 attempts, hooked up with Jack O'Dell on a 17-yard touchdown strike. Hoyng looked right and then threw to the back of the end zone to beat the safety. The senior tossed his third scoring pass, a one-yard completion to Champa, out of a full-house T backfield for a 35-14 lead.

The Great Danes, who were making their first postseason appearance in five years, rallied from a halftime deficit to tie the contest at 14 apiece on the second play of the third period. David McCarty raced 63 yards around right end for the touchdown and quarterback Vinny Esposito ran for the two-point conversion. McCarty, who added a 3-yard scoring run in the final quarter, rushed for 134 yards on 16 carries, his sixth straight 100-plus effort.

"That's a very good team,” UAlbany coach Bob Ford said. “They don't beat themselves. Their quarterback is quite a piece of machinery. We picked a bad day to play undisciplined football."

The Flyers made use of good field position to strike first in the opening period. Hoyng jump-started the scoring march by scrambling to complete a 21-yard pass to Nick Ruhe. Hoyng, the league's offensive player of the year, then threw three straight completions to set up Ben Shappie's one-yard blast over right guard for a 7-0 lead.

After Esposito fumbled after a sack, the Great Danes' defense stiffened. McCarty rumbled 35 yards over the left side into UD territory. Esposito then found flanker Mike Wall with a 42-yard touchdown pass on a post pattern. However, linebacker Brian Kelly blocked the extra point.

Dayton took a 14-6 advantage to the intermission with an 81-yard TD march. The drive was kept alive when the Great Danes were offsides in a fourth-and-one situation at the UAlbany 9. Shappie then threw a halfback pass to Hoyng, who slipped out of the backfield on the left side, for an eight-yard touchdown with 52 seconds remaining.

"Their quarterback is the most elusive that I have ever faced,” said UAlbany linebacker Colin Disch, who had nine tackles in his final game as a collegian. “The film didn't justify his ability to scramble, move well, and keep his feet. In the second half, they made a lot of third-down conversions, and that was a big difference."

McCarty added, "We came out a little soft and seemed unaware of what they had to offer. They were undersized as compared to what we've faced this year. We made foolish mistakes and they made corrections that we were unable to adjust to."