America East Releases University of Albany Women's Basketball Conference Schedule

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - UAlbany went 16-0 in the America East last season and will look to repeat the feat.  The America East Conference has released the league schedule today, featuring 16 games.  

The team will play the league slate from January 9th through March 1st before hosting the conference tournament.  The 2014 America East quarterfinals will be on Friday, March 8th at the SEFCU Arena, with the semifinals being on Sunday, March 10th.  The America East women's championship game is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 16th.

The Great Danes will play their first three conference games on the road, playing Vermont on January 9th.  They will follow up with with matchups at Hartford on January 12th and UMass Lowell on January 16th.
The first home game will be on January 18th as UAlbany hosts Maine at the SEFCU Arena.  The final two home games feature rivalry contests; the Great Danes host Binghamton on February 19th and will have Senior Day on March 1st against Stony Brook.

2014 UAlbany Women's Basketball America East Schedule
(times listed are tentative)

• Jan. 9 - @ Vermont
• Jan. 12 - @ Hartford
• Jan. 16 - @ UMass Lowell
• Jan. 18 - Maine
• Jan. 20 - @ Binghamton
• Jan. 23 - New Hampshire
• Jan. 28 - UMBC
• Jan. 30 - @ Stony Brook
• Feb. 1 - Vermont
• Feb. 4 - UMass Lowell
• Feb. 7 - Hartford
• Feb. 11 - @ UMBC
• Feb. 16 - @ Maine
• Feb. 19 - Binghamton
• Feb. 26 - @ New Hampshire
• Mar. 1 - Stony Brook

University of Albany Field Hockey Upends Providence 4-1 for Second Straight Win

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – University at Albany field hockey registered its second win of 2013 with a 4-1 victory at Providence on Saturday afternoon. The Great Danes start their season 2-0 for the first time since 2010.

"We played a reallu strong Providence team today," said head coach Phil Sykes. "I'm really proud of the way we played and how we kept our composure."

Junior Echo Bretz got UAlbany on the board just seven minutes into the game off a deflected pass from Laura Page. Providence responded less than a minute later with a goal of its own to even the score.

Liza Morgan gave the Great Danes a 2-1 advantage off another deflection on a shot by Paula Heuser. After 10 minutes of rapid scoring, the lead remained 2-1 going into halftime.
Morgan tallied her fifth goal of the weekend early in the second half, again on a deflected pass from Heuser. The sophomore has already accumulated more points in two games than she did in the entire 2012 season.

Senior Corrine McConville tallied her fifth point of the weekend on her second successful penalty stroke in the 60th minute to wrap up scoring.

Freshman goalkeeper Maxi Primus notched her second win in goal and made three saves.
The Great Danes held a 13-4 shot and 8-1 penalty corner advantage against the Friars. Combined with an 8-0 win over Bryant on Friday, UAlbany allowed just three penalty corners and five shots in its 2-0 start.

UAlbany returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 8 against Cornell at 2 p.m. The Great Danes open up a four-game homestand against the Big Red.

University of Albany Field Hockey Gets First Win With 8-0 Victory Over Bryant

ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany field hockey team got its 2013 season off to a good start on Friday afternoon with an 8-0 win over Bryant in Providence, R.I. “There were a lot of positives,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “We still have things to work on, but it was a good way to start the season.” Forward Liza Morgan began the scoring early and often for the Great Danes. The sophomore tallied three goals in the win, notching her first in the ninth minute on a cross from Daphne Voormolen. Morgan found the back of the cage again midway through the first half unassisted, and again on a pass from Celia D’Agostino late in the second half. Six different UAlbany players scored in the win over the Bulldogs, and two freshmen recorded their first career points. Corrine McConville converted on a penalty stroke in the 13th minute for a 2-0 lead, and fellow senior co-captain Daphne Voormolen scored on a breakaway from freshman Molly Mariano in the second half. In addition to her assist, Mariano scored on a wide open net for the final tally of the first half. Newcomer Paula Heuser also recorded three points in her first collegiate start. The freshman midfielder scored on a penalty corner from McConville in the 58th minute, and assisted on a penalty corner goal by sophomore Fiori Van Rijswijk to begin the second half. The Great Danes posted a dominant 27-1 shot advantage and 14-2 edge in penalty corners. Freshman Maxi Primus got the starting nod in goal, recording her first career win and shutout. UAlbany continues its season against Providence on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Friars downed No. 11 Northwestern on Friday afternoon 2-1 in overtime.

University of Albany Men’s Basketball Coach Will Brown Signs Contract Extension Through 2018

 

ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany Director of Athletics Dr. Lee McElroy announced Thursday that men’s basketball head coach Will Brown has signed a contract extension through the 2017-18 season.

Brown, the longest-tenured head coach in the America East Conference, led the Great Danes to a league title and NCAA appearance in 2012-13. He has won three America East titles, which is tied for the most all-time in the conference.
“‘I am pleased to announce that Coach Brown has signed a five-year contract extension,” said McElroy. “Coach Brown and his staff demonstrated that his leadership, with an emphasis on service, athletics and academic excellence reflect the core values of the University. President Jones and I are delighted that Coach Brown will continue to build character, integrity and accountability with our student-athletes for years to come.”

Brown has been at the helm of the Great Danes since the 2001-02 season. He has amassed a record of 172-191, and enters his 13th season in 2013-14

In addition to its NCAA tournament run, the 2012-13 UAlbany squad recorded the most wins in a season all-time since joining the Division I ranks. The Great Danes went 24-11 (9-7 America East) in 2012-13. UAlbany won the America East title as the No. 4 seed, marking the second time the No. 4 seed has earned the league’s automatic NCAA bid.
Brown also led four-year All-America East selection Mike Black to the all-time career scoring leaderboard in 2012-13. Black scored 1,542 points to rank sixth all-time in program history in points scored. He averaged 12.0 points per game for his UAlbany career.

UAlbany opens its 2013-14 season at the Times Union Center against local rival Siena on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. 

Men’s Lacrosse Alumni Game Set For October 5th

ALBANY, N.Y. – Defending America East Men’s Lacrosse Tournament Champions, the University at Albany, announced that it will play its alumni game on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 1 pm (time is subject to change). The Great Danes will play the game on John Fallon Field.

UAlbany finished the 2013 season by winning its fifth America East Title and reached the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time. The 13-4 Great Danes were carried on offense by three special individuals, Lyle, Miles and Ty Thompson. The Thompson Trio put on what some could have dubbed as “The Greatest Attack On Turf”. Not only was UAlbany No. 1 in offense in the NCAA at 15.94 goals per game, but the trio tallied the most points out of any other attacking group with 254 points.

Outside of the current Great Dane roster, UAlbany alum, Brett Queener, has been impressive at the pro level. Queener was named to his fourth Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game. The Penn Yann, N.Y. native was leading the majors with a .620 save percentage and was third with an 11.26 goals against average amongst goalkeepers at that point.

UAlbany will go into the 2014 seasons graduating just two of the eleven 2012 starters and push for its sixth America East Title in 12 seasons.

Coach Ford Announces Retirement Plans At Media Day

ALBANY, N.Y. – It all began in 1967 when President Evan R. Collins created an ad hoc University Athletics Counsel to study the future of athletics at the University at Albany. The Counsel suggested the addition of a football team and the President approved, leaving the task of hiring the man who personally would build and design the program. On April 27, 1970, it was announced that Dr. Robert M. Ford had been chosen to guide UAlbany’s fledging team. 

Forty-three years, 436 games, and 255 varsity wins later, Ford has announced that he will coach his final season in 2013. Ford made the announcement Tuesday at the program’s annual media luncheon.

“I want to thank Lee [McElroy] and the administration that I’ve had an opportunity to work for,” said Ford in front of a roomful of media, staff, and players. “They have blessed us with many resources. I’ve enjoyed it tremendously. I’ve been fortunate to have never gone to work a day in my life.”

Ford, who will turn 76 years old on Sept. 11th, is the longest active tenured coach in all of college football. At one time, Ford was the youngest head football coach in the nation when the 26-year-old took over the reins at St. Lawrence University in 1965. He will end his career as the nation’s oldest.

With 264 career victories, Ford ranks second among all active college football coaches and first among NCAA Division I active coaches. He has won four Northeast Conference Coach of the Year honors and led the Great Danes to six NEC titles.

Ford built the UAlbany program from the ground up, taking the Great Danes from a club team to an NCAA Division I FCS contender.

Ford laid the program’s groundwork quickly at the start of his tenure, leading the Great Danes to a 30-21 victory over the Rochester Institute of Technology in the program’s first clash on October 10, 1970 at University Field.

After three seasons at the club level, Ford steered the Danes to Division III varsity status in 1973. From there, “The Architect of UAlbany Football” led the program to a 127-88 record in 22 Division III seasons, and continued to carry the Danes through the college ranks, moving to Division II in 1995. UAlbany went 31-12 in the DII era and won back-to-back Eastern Football Conference championships in 1997 and 1998.

Nearing the new millennium, UAlbany moved up the ladder again to the NCAA Division I FCS level in 1999, becoming an associate member the Northeast Conference. In 2002, UAlbany captured its first of six NEC titles and wrapped up the 14-season era with its last in 2012. Ford also led the program to their first NCAA FCS playoff appearance in 2011.

For the past 43 years, head coach Bob Ford and University Field have been the program’s two constant fixtures. However, this fall the two will become one when the Great Danes settle into their new home -- Bob Ford Field. The deservingly named pristine on-campus 8,500 seat stadium features a lighted turf playing surface, state-of-the-art video board, and luxury suites.

In addition, Ford will once again lead the Great Danes into a new competitive era this fall, as they play their first season in Colonial Athletic Association – one of the nation’s premier FCS power conferences. UAlbany opens Bob Ford Field, as well as kicks off its inaugural CAA contest on Sept. 14th at 7:00 p.m. versus Rhode Island.

UAlbany Women’s Basketball’s Megan Craig Makes Her Mark at New Zealand National Team Trials

ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany junior center Megan Craig has caught the eye of New Zealand national team head coach Kennedy Kereama in his efforts for a 2014 FIBA World Championship berth.

Craig is competing for a spot on the New Zealand national team that must first win the FIBA Oceania Championship. The Tall Ferns will tip off on August 14 against Australia for a spot in the world championship.

According to FIBA, “One of the intriguing centers in the Tall Ferns set-up is Megan Craig.”

"I remember seeing Megan play when she could hardly get up and down the floor," Kereama said. "But I think she's really embraced the culture of basketball and the way of living in the United States. Most of our female athletes are very reserved and don't show their emotions too often, but you can see Megan has really embraced that style of basketball."
A native of Whangarei, New Zealand, Craig Played in all 29 games for the Great Danes in 2012-13. The 6’8’’ center was named third team All-America East and was the second leading scorer on the squad, averaging 10.4 ppg.

“We’re very excited for Megan,” said UAlbany women’s basketball head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. “She’s really embracing the experience and we couldn’t be more proud.”

University of Albany Welcomed At Inaugural CAA Football Media Day

BALTIMORE – Represented by head coach Bob Ford and quarterback Will Fiacchi, the University at Albany football program made its inaugural appearance at the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Football Media Day Wednesday at M&T Bank Stadium.

Ford and Fiacchi met and mingled with the conference’s 10 other head coaches and select student-athletes, as well as spoke with a large turnout of media members.

The CAA also announced the preseason all-conference teams and the predicted order of finish. The Great Danes were picked 10th in the preseason poll, while Villanova was chosen as the league’s preseason favorite in a vote of the conference’s 11 head coaches and communications personnel.

UAlbany wrapped up a 14-year tenure in the Northeast Conference with six championships, including a share of the title in 2012. The Great Danes also boasted the best record the program has ever seen at the Division I FCS level, going 9-2 overall last year and ranked as high as No. 18 in the FCS Coaches Poll and No. 20 in the Sports Network Top-25.

The Great Danes open their 2013 CAA slate on Sept. 14th at 7:00 p.m. against Rhode Island. UAlbany will face the Rams in front of NBC Sports Regional Network cameras, while also clashing on Bob Ford Field, a brand new 8,500 seat stadium for the first time. To purchase season tickets click here. Individual game tickets go on sale August 1st.


2013 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish
1. Villanova (11)
2. Towson (3)
3. New Hampshire (3)
4. Richmond (1)
5. James Madison (4)
6. Delaware
7. Stony Brook
8. Maine
9. William & Mary
10. UAlbany
11. Rhode Island  

CAA Football Announces 2013 TV Schedule

CAA Football Announces 2013 TV Schedule

RICHMOND, Va.  -- Announced Monday by the league office, the University at Albany football program will take on Rhode Island and Delaware in front of NBC Sports Regional Network cameras as part of the Colonial Athletic Association’s television schedule.

The Great Danes’ NBC Sports Regional Network game on September 14th at 7:00 p.m. will feature a plethora of firsts for the program, including the inaugural game at Bob Ford Field – UAlbany’s brand new 8,500 seat stadium. The Danes will also kick off their first CAA contest as a member of the league, facing Rhode Island for the first time in program history. To purchase season tickets click here. Individual game tickets go on sale August 1^st.

Also on NBC Sports Regional Networks, UAlbany will clash with the Blue Hens at Delaware Stadium October 12th starting at noon. The meeting will mark the program’s third against Delaware, as the series is tied, 1-1.

CAA Football enters its second year of a five-year broadcast agreement with the NBC Sports Network this fall. The network is the 24/7 cable platform for NBC Sports and is available in nearly 80 million homes. NBC Sports is also now live streaming NBC Sports Network’s live-event coverage to digital, mobile and tablet users via its NBC Sports Live Extra platform.

NBC Sports Regional Networks, part of the NBC Sports Group, consist of 13 regional networks that deliver more than 2,400 live sporting events annually, along with breaking news, comprehensive analysis, digital content and original programming, to more than 50 million homes. The NBC Sports Regional Networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, NECN, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, The Comcast Network, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, CSS and SNY.

Throughout the 2013 season, every game televised on NBC Sports Regional Networks will also be simulcast digitally to out-of-market areas for free on CAA.TV. A select number of these specific games may also be featured in high definition and available live for free on the CAA iPad app. Digital broadcasts will be blacked out in areas where the telecast is available via fans’ cable provider. A free login will be required to view the games both via CAA.TV on a computer or using the CAA's iPad app. More information on the CAA.TV login requirement will be available closer to the season and promoted via CAA Football’s online presence.

CAA Football is on Twitter @CAAFootball and uses the official hashtag #CAAFB. They can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and blogging on their official Every Day Is Saturday blog at caafootball.wordpress.com.

University of Albany Alumnus Brett Queener Named To The 2013 Major League Lacrosse All-Star Team

 For the fourth time in his career and for the second consecutive year, Brett Queener has been named a 2013 Major League Lacrosse All-Star, announced Monday, June 24.
Queener, a 2007 United States Inside Lacrosse Association All-America Honorable Mention selection at UAlbany, is having one of his best seasons at the major league level since being drafted in 2008. The Penn Yann, N.Y. native leads the majors with a .620 save percentage and is third with an 11.26 goals against average amongst goalkeepers.

In his six-year major league career, playing for the Hamilton Nationals for the last three, Queener is one of four Major League Lacrosse goalkeepers named to the all-star squad. He is accompanied by Drew Adams (New York Lizards), Jesse Schwartzman (Denver Outlaws), and Kip Turner (Chesapeake Bayhawks).

The 38 players named as all-stars will be divided into two teams, as selected by the winners of the MLL Ultimate Fan Fantasy contest. Cameron MacKenzie and Frank Ranfone will pick their teams playground-style to form their very own All-Star squads to compete in the game. Several All-Stars will also participate in the Half-Time Skills competition which will include Fastest Shot, Accuracy and Freestyle contests. The All-Stars will wear specially designed jerseys that will be auctioned off following the game to benefit JDRF, the 2013 All-Star Game’s charity.

The MLL All-Star Game, presented by Moe’s Southwest Grill, takes place on Saturday, July 13, at 7:00 pm in Charlotte, N.C., at American Legion Memorial Stadium, and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

University of Albany's Jones Places Fifth At USA Junior Championship 400m Finals

DES MOINES – University at Albany freshman Taariq Jones placed fifth in the 400m dash finals Saturday afternoon at the USA Track and Field Junior National Championships.

Running in the outside lane at Drake Stadium, Jones recorded a time of 47.80, as Marcus Chambers from the Seatown Express Track Club won the event with a mark of 46.55.

With the top eight finishers in each event earning All-America honors, Jones became UAlbany’s 12th Junior All-American since 2004, joining teammate James Sommer, who earned the accolade Thursday for his seventh-place 3,000m steeplechase performance. The pair also joins Alexander Bowen, Matthew Catera, Sean Halpin, Tyler Fogarty, John Moore, Joe Greene, Alyssa Lotmore, Ryan Gaedje, Jessica Ortman, and Jenna Ortman in the Great Dane archives.

The USA Junior Championships feature athletes between 16 and 19 years of age and serve as the selection for the Pan American Junior Championships in Medellin, Colombia in August. The top two finishers with a world standard in each event are invited to compete as members of Team USA.

University of Albany's Bowen Ties For 11th At NCAA Championships, Earning Second-Team All-America Honors

EUGENE, Ore. – Competing in the high jump Friday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., sophomore Alexander Bowen cleared 7-2.50 (2.20m), tying for 11th place in the 24-athlete field. The performance garnered Bowen second-team All-America honors by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Starting with the 6-8.75 (2.05m) mark, Bowen cleared the first three heights with ease. In his first attempts, Bowen leapt over 6-8.75 (2.05m), 6-10.75 (2.10m), and 7-0.50 (2.15m). The Beacon, N.Y. native missed his first two shots at the 7-2.50 mark, before conquering the feat to move on to the 7-4.25 (2.20m) stage.

Already the program record holder (7-3.25), Bowen looked to set the bar even higher, but his Championship journey came to a close at the new height.

Bowen, a four-time America East high jump title-winner, 2013 IC4A champion, and 2012 USA Junior National Champion, along with select University at Albany teammates will have one last opportunity to pick up hardware this season when they compete June 20-23rd at the USA Junior and Senior National Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

UAlbany Claims Second Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup

PORTLAND, Maine -- Winning eight America East championships during the 2012-13 season, the University at Albany has claimed the conference’s Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup for the second time in school history, announced by the league office Tuesday evening at its annual awards dinner in Portland, Maine.

The Commissioner’s Cup annually recognizes the strongest athletic program in the America East Conference as determined by a scoring system, which rewards a school for success both during the regular season and championship competition in the conference’s 20 sports.

"The Commissioner's Cup symbolizes broad-based excellence which is defined by the dedication and commitment of our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” said Vice President of Athletic Administration and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Lee McElroy. “This significant distinction reflects the mission and values of the University."

The Great Danes tied an America East record by winning eight league titles and also captured four regular-season crowns with as many runner-up finishes to help net 390 points -- 90 more than any other school, marking the largest margin of victory since 2002.

Stony Brook came in second place for the second time in four years, earning 300 points, followed by UMBC (246 points) in third, University of New Hampshire (227) in fourth, Binghamton University (220) in fifth, University of Vermont (216) in sixth, University of Hartford (191), University of Maine (169) and Boston University (162).

UAlbany 2012-13 Highlights
• Won second America East Commissioner’s Cup in program history (2004-05).
• Captured conference championships in field hockey, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field and men’s lacrosse.
• Regular-season champions in volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s lacrosse and softball.
• Runners up in volleyball, women’s tennis and softball.
• Reached championship final in 8-of-11 America East sponsored sports.
• Won both basketball championships in the same year -- just the sixth occurrence in league history.

The scoring system for the Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup is as follows: In sports where regular-season round robin competition is conducted, the first-place institution in the final standings receives four points times the total number of teams involved in conference play. The second-place institution receives four less points; third place receives eight less points, and so on. Additionally, the America East (tournament) champion receives two points times the total number of teams participating in the championship. The second-place institution receives two less points; third place receives four less points and so on down to the last-place institution which receives two points.

In sports where regular-season round robin competition is not conducted (cross country, tennis, track & field, swimming & diving), the first-place institution at the America East championship receives two points times the total number of teams participating in the championship. The second-place institution receives two less points; third place gets four less points and so on down to the last place team which receives two points.

University of Albany's Lyle Thompson Tabbed As Top Attackman In Division I Men's Lacrosse

ALBANY, N.Y. – Continuing to fill his trophy case in just his sophomore season, University at Albany men’s lacrosse attackman Lyle Thompson garnered the 2013 United States Inside Lacrosse Association Lt. Col. J.L. (Jack) Turnbull Award on Friday, May 24. Lyle became the first Great Dane in program history to be honored with a major USILA award. The Jack Turnbull Award is given to the top attackman in Division I Men’s Lacrosse.

A Tewaaraton Award Finalist, Lyle put together one of the best seasons for an individual in NCAA men’s lacrosse history. The sophomore attack racked up 113 points on 50 goals and 63 assists, which was two points shy of breaking the all-time NCAA record set by Steve Marahol (114 points in 1992). The Onondaga Nation, N.Y. native became the fourth Great Dane to be named the America East Player of the Year. In 17 games, Lyle is the nation’s leader in points per game with 6.65, which is the 13^th highest points per game for an individual in NCAA history.

University of Albany Men's Lacross: Thompson Trio Named USILA Division I All-Americans

ALBANY, N.Y. – Following a memorable 2013 season, the University at Albany men’s lacrosse starting attack of Lyle, Miles and Ty Thompson were honored as United States Inside Lacrosse Association Division I All-American selections on Thursday, May 23.  Lyle Thompson became the second Great Dane in program history to be named a First Team All-American (Frank Resetarits was the first in 2007).

The three selections are the most for UAlbany since placing four on the various All-America teams in 2007.

A Tewaaraton Award Finalist, Lyle put together one of the best seasons for an individual in NCAA men’s lacrosse history. The sophomore attack racked up 113 points on 50 goals and 63 assists, which was two points shy of breaking the all-time NCAA record set by Steve Marahol (114 points in 1992). The Onondaga Nation, N.Y. native became the fourth Great Dane to be named the America East Player of the Year. In 17 games, Lyle is the nation’s leader in points per game with 6.65, which is the 13^th highest points per game for an individual in NCAA history.

Brother and cousin, Miles and Ty, were named Honorable Mention All-Americans, giving UAlbany six total to the respective list in Great Dane history (Brian Caufield, Jordan Levine, Brett Queener and Luke Daquino were previous Honorable Mentions).

In just 12 games, Miles Thompson impressed in his limited time on the field. He broke three UAlbany single-game records. Against Bryant on March 16, the junior attack wielded nine goals, which tied him for 13^th in NCAA history for goals in a single game (12 players, nine have scored 10 and three have scored 11). Then in the regular-season finale against Stony Brook, the Onondaga Nation, N.Y. native rattled off the third best single-game performance in NCAA history with 14 points on five goals and nine assists. His 14 points, nine goals and nine assists are all tops in the UAlbany single-game record book.

Ty showed off that he was one of the best finishers in the game this past season. In 18 games, the junior attack scored 54 goals (3^rd in the nation) and averaged 3.00 goals a game (5^th in the nation). With a team-high 134 shots, the Mohawk Nation, N.Y. native tallied a 40.3 shooting percentage. In a crucial conference contest against UMBC earlier in the season, Ty had his best performance of his career, scoring eight goals.

The Thompson Trio was a special attack group overall.  Lyle, Miles and Ty tallied the nation’s highest point total as a starting attack group with 259 points. The next closest attacking group is Cornell’s Rob Pannell, Steve Mock and Matt Donovan with 196.

University of Albany Men's Lacross: Thompson Trio Featured On NCAA On Campus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll3X6tIiOLo&feature=player_embedded

 

ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany men’s lacrosse starting attack trio of Lyle, Miles and Ty Thompson were featured on NCAA On Campus, which was shot by Lee Nassau. NCAA On Campus is a video feature that captures special student-athletes during a team or player’s remarkable run in season.

UAlbany men’s basketball sophomore guard Peter Hooley introduced the story of the Thompson Trio in the beginning of the video. To learn more about the trio, both on and off the field click the video above.

#12 University of Albany Men’s Lacrosse Wins Fifth America East Title - UAlbany Sports 2013

STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Named the America East Conference Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, sophomore attack Lyle Thompson with nine points paced the 12th-ranked University at Albany past UMBC in championship game, 19-10, on Saturday, May 4 at LaValle Stadium. The Great Danes took home their fifth championship title in 11 years.

“We worked very, very hard, as hard as I have seen any team work to get to this point,” said Coach Marr on the win over UMBC in the championship. “We felt relieved because when you are the top seed in your conference tournament it is a relief when you come through as the No. 1 seed to win the championship.”

Lyle, the fifth Great Dane to be named MOP, continues to climb the NCAA record book for points in a single season with 108 after his nine-point performance. The sophomore attack’s 108 points is third best in NCAA history with Air Force’s Joe Vasta (1986) and is seven points away from Steve Marahol (114) of UMBC for the all-time record.

Right out of the gate, Lyle set the tempo for No. 12 UAlbany (13-4) with an assist to his cousin Ty for his 100th point of the season and the Great Danes first lead, 1-0, with 10:33 left in the first stanza.

UMBC came back with back-to-back goals from David Campbell and Scott Jones to swing the lead in its favor, 2-1, with 8:29 remaining.

Lyle contributed on two consecutive UAlbany goal’s to end the period for a 3-2 lead. The Onondaga Nation, N.Y. native found Will Fuller in front of the net for the first. Then less than two minutes later, he set up 15 yards from the net, sent a laser that grazed the turf and passed by UMBC goalie Wes DiRito.

The sophomore attack continued his phenomenal offensive play in the second quarter with goal 34 seconds in to extend the Great Dane lead to two, 4-2.

However, the Retrievers did not lie down to the No. 1 offense in the nation, rattling three goals of their own for their second lead of the game, 5-4, with 9:18 left in the half. UMBC used a man-up situation, Jones’ second goal and Matt Gregoire’s first goal of the game to retain the lead.

Then UAlbany turned up the heat and ended the half on a 5-0 run for a 9-5 lead. Miles Thompson began the run and ended the run, scoring three goals in an eight-minute span . Schnectady, N.Y. native Tim Cox and John Maloney joined in on the offensive charge for the four-goal advantage.

“Offensively, myself, Miles and Ty were forcing too many shots and tried to set the tempo early,” said Lyle Thompson on the called timeout before the 5-0 run. “We told eachother to settle down, don’t force passes that are not there. After that timeout, all three of us got together and knew that we set the tempo for the team, so we told each other to settle down and play our game.”

America East Rookie of the Year Pat Young wasted no time in the second half, scoring the Retrievers sixth goal of the game 39 second in to keep his team in striking distance.

The Great Danes used another run of four goals to push their lead to seven, 13-6, with 5:57 left in the third quarter. Ty began the run and saw Ryan Feuerstein fire a straight heater for his first of the game. Then Matt Bertrams capped it off with a hustle play of taking the face-off and going 40 yards for his second goal of the season.

With a 14-7 lead going into the fourth and final quarter, the Great Dane defense locked down and held the Retrievers to three goals in the final 15 minutes. In the mix of the five goals that UAlbany scored in the final period, the most notable was Ty Thompson’s goal with 9:54 left. Ty dodged one defender and as he was facing away from the net he sent a shot through his legs and the goalie’s legs to drop the jaws of the fans.

UAlbany goalie Blaze Riorden recorded eight saves on 18 chances in his 13th win between the pipes. UMBC goalie Wes DiRito tallied 10 saves in 27 in the loss.

The Great Danes finish the season 13-4 overall and wait to see who they face in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, May 5 at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.

University of Albany's Jon Morgan, Drew Smith Sign NFL Free Agent Contracts - UAlbany Sports 2013

ALBANY, N.Y. – Shortly after the conclusion of the 2013 NFL Draft Saturday night, University at Albany football players Jon Morgan and Drew Smith signed free agent contracts with the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills, respectively.

Linebacker Jon Morgan, a two-time first-team All-NEC honoree, led UAlbany with 72 tackles, three interceptions, and two blocked kicks in UAlbany’s 2012 NEC championship season. The Copiague, N.Y. native finished his career ranked eighth all-time at UAlbany with 265 career tackles.

Tailback Drew Smith also boasted a historic collegiate career, finishing as UAlbany’s all-time leader for touchdowns scored (45) and the co-leader for all-time rushing touchdowns (40). In four active seasons, Smith accrued 3,196 career rushing yards and 4,721 all-purpose yards, both good for second all-time. In 2012, the Schenectady, N.Y. native eclipsed the 1,000 rushing yards mark for the second time in his career and the 10th time in program history, rushing for 1,001 yards and 18 touchdowns, while totaling 1,280 all-purpose yards. Smith also led the NEC and ranked fourth at the FCS level for scoring (11.40).

In four years, the pair led UAlbany to a 30-15 overall record, two NEC titles and an appearance in the 2011 FCS Playoffs.

THE HISTORY OF UALBANY IN THE NFL

Rashad Barksdale was taken in the sixth round of the National Football League Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007. Barksdale, who was the 201st player selected, is the second UAlbany football player to be chosen in the NFL Draft. He was released by the Eagles and immediately signed by the Kansas City Chiefs off waivers. Barksdale became the first Great Dane to play in an NFL regular-season game on Oct. 7, 2007 against Jacksonville.

In 2007, Andre Coleman and Jacob Hobbs signed as free agents with the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively. Coleman, who spent three seasons on the Chargers’ practice squad and played during the 2009 regular season, was a consensus first-team mid-major All-America defensive end.

Previously, offensive tackle Geir Gudmundsen joined the Buffalo Bills as a free agent in 2005. Split end Dan Gmelin (San Diego Chargers) and tight end Seth Thomas (Carolina Panthers) signed as free agents in 1997. Defensive end Matt Caliandro inked a free-agent deal with the Tennessee Titans the following year.

Kurt Campbell was the first UAlbany player taken in the NFL Draft. He went in the seventh round to the Green Bay Packers in 2005. Campbell, a former UAlbany captain, also spent time with Oakland and Tennessee and was signed by the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders in May 2009.

Two University of Albany Men's Lacrosse, Thompsons Nominated For The 2013 Tewaaraton Award - UAlbany Sports 2013

WASHINGTON – The University at Albany men’s lacrosse attackmen Lyle and Ty Thompson were named as two of the top 25 nominees for the 2013 Tewaaraton Award, which was announced by the Tewaaraton Foundation on Friday, April 26.

The Great Danes were one of five teams that had two players on the prestigious list. The other four teams with two players included Cornell’s Steve Mock/Rob Pannell, Loyola’s Scott Ratliff/Mike Sawyer, Maryland’s Niko Amato/Jesse Bernhardt and Syracuse’s JoJo Marasco/Brian Megill.

Lyle is having a sensational sophomore season. Lyle leads the nation in points per game (6.85) and assists per game (3.92). The junior attackman already owns the program’s record for assists in a season with 51 at the moment and is one point away from breaking UAlbany’s Cort Kim’s record (89) for points in a season. One record that the Onondaga Nation, N.Y. native has a chance of breaking at seasons end is the NCAA single-season points record of 114 (currently at 89).

Lyle’s cousin Ty has been quietly finding the back of the net for the Great Danes this season. Having started all 14 games this season, Ty has a team best 41 goals and is fourth in the nation in goals per game with 3.15 as of April 21. Before being held scoreless against Siena on Tuesday, the Mohawk Nation, N.Y. native tallied 25 straight games of recording at least one goal, which was tied for the 23rd best streak in NCAA history.

Each year, the Tewaaraton Award celebrates one of the six tribal nations of the Iroquois Confederacy – the Mohawk, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora. This is The Year of the Mohawk and the men’s nominees include a member of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation in Ty Thompson and a member of the Onondaga Nation in his cousin Lyle Thompson.

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Defeats #10 Johns Hopkins, 10-9 - UAlbany Sports 2013

BALTIMORE, Md. – Freshman goalie Blaze Riorden had his best game of his short career, recording 20 saves to lead No. 20 University at Albany past No. 10 Johns Hopkins, 10-9, on Friday, April 5 at Homewood Field. The Great Danes have become road warriors having beaten both Syracuse and Johns Hopkins on the road in the same season for the first time since 2002.

“The defense forced Hopkins to take shots that a goalie should save,” said Riorden on his career day between the pipes. “Yes I had 20 saves but the defense played great as a unit and they should be credited with some of those saves.”

Miles Thompson extended his point streak to 32 games with five points on three goals and two assists. Not far behind Miles is his cousin Ty, who continued his point streak to 31 games with two points on two goals.

Miles cracked open the scoring for UAlbany (7-3) with two quick goals in a span of a minute and a half for the Great Danes first lead, 2-1, with 7:04 left in the first stanza. The second goal was a bang-bang play that started off with Matt Garziano, who found Miles on the left corner of the net.

Johns Hopkins (6-4) responded back with three straight goals in a matter of three and a half minutes to grab what would be its largest lead of the game (two), 4-2. The Blue Jays used three different scorers during the run to finish off the quarter (Zach Palmer, Rex Sanders, Wells Stanwick in that order).

In the second quarter, the Great Danes Tim Cox found a cutting Jimmy Haugen, who received the pass right in front of the net and sent a laser passed Blue Jays goalie Pierce Bassett. UAlbany then used a Thompson-to-Thompson connection (Miles from Ty) to tie the game for the third time at four with 11:25 to play in the half.

During a Johns Hopkins’ offensive possession, a Blue Jays’ offensive player sent a shot towards UAlbany goalie Blaze Riorden, who made the save. Unfortunately, the shot that the Blue Jays offensive player sent hit Riorden in a very soft spot, forcing him out of the game for two and half minutes.

Max Huber stepped up in Riorden’s absence, saving the one shot he saw to preserve the one-goal deficit at that point. Riorden returned at the 5:35 mark to finish out the game.

“Every day, we tell everyone whether you are the first person on the roster or the last you mean something to this team,” said Riorden on his teammate Huber. “Yesterday, we had a speech given to us that and someone one this team will have to step up this season and Max Huber stepped up with a key save in the game.”

However, Johns Hopkins’ midfielder John Greeley found some separation in a tight UAlbany defense to score the team’s lone goal of the quarter. The Blue Jays led the Great Danes, 5-4, at the half.

An impressive UAlbany defensive stand in the third quarter held Johns Hopkins scoreless on six shots. This was the first time this season that the Blue Jays were held scoreless in any quarter in regulation. The Great Danes scored twice in the third, one by Ryan Feuerstein and the other by Will Fuller, to swing momentum back in their favor and lead for the second time in the contest, 6-5.

Johns Hopkins Holden Cattoni tied the game for the fifth time to begin the fourth and final period. The Blue Jays Wells Stanwick facilitated the play for his only assist of the game.

Derrick Eccles impressive hustle play gave UAlbany a 7-6 lead with 12:45 remaining. Eccles began with a shot on net that was saved by Bassett. The saved bounced off Bassett and the sophomore midfielder picked up the loose ball in front of the net and sent a shovel-like shot for his first goal of the game.

Johns Hopkins’ Stanwick put the team on his back and scored back-to-back goals to cut the deficit to one, 9-8. Teammate Brandon Benn followed up with a one-timer from Lee Coppersmith to tie the game, 9-9, for the sixth time with 5:05 left in the game.

The play of the game came at the 2:01 mark in the fourth quarter. Riorden made his 20th save of the game and quickly passed it Doug Eich. Eich, a defensemen, took the ball the length of the field and rattled off a shot to the top right-hand corner of the net past Bassett for the game-winner.

“We have felt, since September, that we have something special,” said Coach Marr on the biggest win of the season. “Since moving Lyle to attack, we feel that there is a certain uniqueness about this team that makes it special. Special teams are mainly made up with great chemistry and how everyone respects one another and that is something we have right now.”

Johns Hopkins held advantages in shots, 44-30, ground balls, 34-25, and face-offs, 14-9. The Blue Jays allowed 10 goals for the first time in the all-time series (12 total games).

UAlbany’s Riorden recorded his seventh win of the season with 20 saves. Johns Hopkins’ Bassett tallied 15 saves on 25 chances in the loss.

The Great Danes, winners of three in a row and six of the last seven, quickly turnaround and face Hartford on Sunday, April 7 at John Fallon Field. Game is slated for 2 p.m.

University of Albany Women's Basketball Drops a Heartbreaker to North Carolina, 59-54, in the NCAA Tournament - UAlbany Sports 2013

NEWARK, DEL. – Behind 30 points from Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, third-seeded North Carolina posted a 59-54 win over 14th-seeded UAlbany in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball tournament on Sunday afternoon at the Bob Carpenter Center on the campus of the University of Delaware. After a valiant effort by the America East Champion Great Danes against the Tarheels of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the team ends its season with a 27-4 record. UNC advances to the second round to face the host Blue Hens on Tuesday.

North Carolina got on the board first with two free throws and a bucket from Ruffin-Pratt. The Tarheels extended their run to 6-0 before UAlbany got on the board with a 3-pointer from Lindsey Lowrie at 16:37. However, UNC responded with a triple of its own by Brittany Rountree, to give the Tarheels a 9-3 advantage at the first media timeout of the half. A second trey by Lowrie and a defensive stop by the Great Danes cut the UNC lead to 11-8 with 11:51 to play in the first half.

Ebone Henry tied the game at 13-13 with a 3-pointer at 8:34, and followed that up with a steal on the defensive end. Megan Craig gave UAlbany its first lead of the game with a bucket at 7:45, but the Tarheels responded with an and-one at the other end by Xylina McDaniel to regain a one-point advantage. Shereesha Richards made one-of-two free throws, but Julie Forster came down with the offensive rebound and Richards hit a layup to put UAlbany on top by two, 18-16, with 6:18 to play in the first half. Forster then sank both halves of a 1-and-1 to push the Great Dane lead to four, and UAlbany forced UNC into back-to-back turnovers. Sarah Royals took to the charity stripe at 4:34, draining both, putting the Great Danes up, 22-16, on the Tarheels. After another made free throw by Royals, Ruffin-Pratt ended the UAlbany run with a 3-pointer at the top of the arc, cutting the UAlbany lead to 23-19 by the last media timeout of the first half at 3:16.

Ruffin-Pratt cut the game to one, 23-22, but missed the additional free throw, and a foul on the Tarheels put Richards on the line with 1:54 to play. Richards nailed both shots to push the UAlbany lead to 25-22, but UNC’s Megan Buckland hit one from the charity stripe to pull back within two. A technical foul on the Tarheels sent Lowrie to the line, where she drained two. With 18.5 seconds to go, Richards converted 1-of-2 from the line, and the Great Dane defense forced another UNC turnover, setting the halftime score at 28-23 in UAlbany’s favor.

Henry started the second half off with a bang, draining a 3-pointer from the far side. However, the Great Dane defense started having a hard time controlling UNC’s Waltiea Rolle under the basket, as the 6-foot-6 center scored six of the Tarheels’ first 11 points of the second half. UNC cut the UAlbany lead to 39-36 at the first media timeout at 14:17. A trey from Lowrie pushed the Great Dane lead to 42-36, but the Tarheels responded immediately, gunning to the opposite end of the court for a layup by Rountree. UNC tied the game at 42-42 with a 3-pointer by Ruffin-Pratt with 11:12 to go, but Craig responded with a bucket to put UAlbany back on top. After another tying basket by UNC, Richards hit 1-of-2 from the free throw line to give the Great Danes a one-point, 45-44, advantage. UAlbany forced UNC into a shot-clock violation and Royals dished the ball to Henry under the basket, where she was fouled on a made layup and hit the free throw to put the Great Danes back on top, 48-44, with 9:40 to play.

Ruffin-Pratt gave UNC its first lead since the first half with a 3-pointer at 6:35, putting the Tarheels ahead, 49-48. She then hit two free throws to push the lead to 51-48, but two free throws by Henry cut the lead back to one with just over five minutes to play. As the time ticked down to the under-four minute media timeout, UNC held a one-point, 53-52, lead, and had possession coming out of the TO. The Tarheels extended their lead to four, 56-52, but an offensive rebound and put-back by Craig kept it a two-point game with just over a minute to play. Ruffin-Pratt iced the game for the Tarheels at the line, hitting two from the charity stripe with 11 seconds to go to set the final score.

“That was pretty amazing, huh?” said UAlbany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, who guided her team to 19 straight wins, including just the seventh undefeated league slate in conference history. “We came. There is no way I would let these women be scared of anything. I am proud of them.”

UAlbany shot 27.9-percent (17-61) from the field – their second-lowest shooting percentage of the season – while still holding UNC to 34.5-percent (19-55) shooting. However, the Great Danes held a slight, 44-43, rebounding advantage, and assisted 14-of-17 baskets, while the Tarheels managed just eight assists on 19 made shots.

The loss marks the end of an era for UAlbany women’s basketball, as the team will graduate seniors Ebone Henry, Julie Forster, Lindsey Lowrie, and Keyana Williams, all of whom have left indelible marks on the Great Dane program. Henry wraps up her career as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,635 points, while also being ranked fourth in career rebounds with 759. Forster became the first women’s player to ever record 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds, and ends her tenure with a program-leading 1,149 boards.

“When we look back on this, we will not look back on this loss,” stated Abrahamson-Henderson. “They [the seniors] are the ones that changed this program. These young women made the difference.”

University of Albany Scrap In NCAAs With Duke, But Fall, 73-61 - UAlbany Sports 2013

PHILADELPHIA – In Friday’s Second Round NCAA Tournament clash, the No. 15 seeded University at Albany men’s basketball team gave the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils a valiant run. The Great Danes battled back from a 16-point deficit to make it an eight-point game with 4:40 seconds remaining. However, in the end, Duke came out the victor, winning 73-61, advancing to play the winner of the Creighton-Cincinnati game. UAlbany’s season ends with a 24-11 record.

“We challenged them. We made Duke work. We made Duke beat us,” said head coach Will Brown.

“They're physically, athletically bigger than us at every single position,” he added. “Our motto really has been to fight, scrape and claw. The problem is if you're playing another low major or mid major Division I program, you can probably get away with getting behind and coming back, getting behind and coming back. When you play an elite program, a team that's going to compete for a national title this year, you can't afford to get behind by 12, 13, 14 points.”

Four UAlbany players reached double figures, led by Jacob Iati’s 15 points. Playing in his final career game, Iati went 3-for-4 from behind the arc, 4-4 from the free throw line, pulled down six boards, dished out six assists, and recorded three steals.

Redshirt freshman Peter Hooley played like a veteran, tallying 13 points, eight rebounds, and five helpers. Sam Rowley and Mike Black both contributed offensively with 10 points apiece, while Luke Devlin scored nine points in just 15 minutes on the court.

It was a tight first half battle between the Great Danes and Blue Devils, as Duke went into the locker room with a nine-point lead, 35-26.

The Blue Devils started off with an 8-2 run, as Seth Curry knocked down a three-pointer and Mason Plumlee finished with a free throw.

With 13:33 left in the half, UAlbany came within four, 13-9, as Hooley hit his trademark three from in front of the Duke bench, and Devlin tapped in a missed layup.

Duke followed with a 7-0 run, extending the lead to 11, 20-9, with 11:59 left in the half. Curry capped the spurt with a jumper inside the paint. The Blue Devils held strong for the next eight minutes and expanded its lead to as much as 13, 31-18, with 3:59 left.

UAlbany responded with an 8-0 run and cut the deficit to five, 31-26, with 1:56 in the half after Iati sparked the run with two free throws. The Great Danes then knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, by Iati and Black.

The Blue Devils’ Rasheed Sulaimon closed the stanza with four made free-throws, giving Duke a nine-point lead going into the second half.

Out of the break, Hooley nailed a three, cutting the margin to eight, 39-31, with 18:21 remaining. However, the Blue Devils responded with an 8-2 run, expanding the lead to 14, forcing Coach Brown to call a timeout.

The next play, Iati knocked down a three, but Curry answered with one of his own. From there, the Blue Devils held their lead in the double-digits, leading by as much as 16, 54-38, with 12:17 remaining.

Holding strong, the Great Danes continued to scrap. With 6:11 remaining Hooley hit a clutch three, making it a 10-point game. John Puk followed with a momentum-shifting block and Iati drew a foul on the play. At the line, Iati made both, cutting the margin to eight, 64-56, with 4:40 to go.

However, that was as close as the Great Danes would get. Curry took control for Duke, with back-to-back baskets after a loose ball scramble.

“The loose ball was probably the biggest play of the game,” said Iati. “I though I was going to get it, and right before I did, Plumlee tipped it a little bit and then it ricocheted off me right to Curry.”

Mike Black knocked down a three with 2:40 remaining, making the score 68-59, but that would be Duke’s final single-digit lead.

Forced to foul, the Blue Devils made 3-of-5 free throws, securing the win.

Curry led all scorers with 26 points, followed closely by Plumlee’s 23 and team-high eight rebounds.

The Great Danes shot 60 percent from three-point range (27-46), 36.5 percent from the field (9-15), and 87.5 percent (14-16) from the line, while Duke shot 36.4 percent (4-11) from behind the arc, 58.7 percent (27-46) from the floor, and 71.4 percent (15-21) from the charity stripe.

UAlbany’s 2012-13 campaign was one for the books. UAlbany recorded 24 wins -- the program’s Division I record -- captured the America East Conference Tournament title as the lowest seed (4) in conference history, and made its third NCAA Tournament appearance.

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Routs Fresno State 21-3 - UAlbany Sports 2013

ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany women’s lacrosse team scored a season-high 21 goals on their way to a 21-3 rout over Fresno State on Thursday, March 21 at John Fallon Field. Sophomore Nichole Eamer scored a career-best five goals and six points to lead the Great Danes. Senior Rachel Burek chipped in a career-high six assists.

Six UAlbany players scored two goals or more. Behind Eamer, Burek highlighted the game with eight points. Senior Jess Antelmi added four goals (five points), with freshman Maureen Keggins and junior Ariana Parker each scoring three goals. Freshman Andrea Flood also scored two goals.

The contest began with Eamer scoring the first two goals within five minutes. Both were free position shots. From there, Burek assisted the next four of five goals. Starting at attack, Burek found Eamer to put the score at 7-0.

The Great Danes continued to put the foot on the gas as Parker added her tenth goal of the season to put the score at 9-0. Fresno State (1-5) looked to make a run with sophomore Marcy Levatino scoring the Bulldogs first goal. However, UAlbany finished the half with four more. Eamer put the halftime margin at 13, 15-2, as she scored her fourth goal of the half.

The second half opened up right where the first left off. The Great Danes scored two goals before the 20 minute mark, putting the lead to 17-2. During the span, freshman Katherine Sweeney found the back of the net for the first time in her career.

UAlbany held Fresno State scoreless in the second half until the 3:57 mark. They scored only one goal in the last 30 minutes. The Great Danes added seven more goals after the half. Freshman Christine Johnson put the exclamation point on the day, scoring the final goal with 18 seconds remaining.

The Great Danes dominated nearly every statistical aspect, including shots (45-7), draw controls (17-9), ground balls (23-13) and turnovers (23-9). Junior Anna Berman (5-3) recorded the win between the pipes. She had two saves and two goals allowed. Senior Katie Wilbur (1-3) took the loss for the Bulldogs.

UAlbany opens up conference play against New Hampshire on Sunday, March 24. First draw control is slated for noon.

University of Albany Women's Basketball Defeat Hartford, Wins Second Straight America East Championship Title - UAlbany Sports 2013

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Megan Craig scored a team-high 16 points en route to being named the America East Tournament's Most Outstanding Player to lead UAlbany to a 61-52 win over Hartford in the America East Championship on Saturday evening at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes became the eighth team in league history to win back-to-back titles, and is just the fourth team to win both the regular season and tournament titles in the same season since 2001-02.

Lindsey Lowrie scored the first five points for the Great Danes on a game-opening 3-pointer and a layup at 17:15 to give UAlbany a 5-2 advantage. After a 4-point play by Amber Bepko that put Hartford on top, 8-5, UAlbany went on a 10-0 run that spanned the next 2:30. Hartford's Ruthanne Doherty ended the Great Dane rally with a basket at 13:40, but Lowrie answered at the other end with a 3-pointer from the top of the arc, keeping UAlbany on top, 18-10, with just over 13 minutes to play. Hartford scored back-to-back baskets to pull back within four, but a jumper by Forster kept the Great Danes on top.

UAlbany extended its advantage to eight on a layup by Shereesha Richards, but Hartford's Daphne Elliott nailed a 3-pointer to cut the Hawks deficit to 24-19 with 6:22 to play in the first. Hartford then went on a 7-2 run to take a 26-25 advantage with under a minute to go, prompting UAlbany to take a timeout. The Great Danes couldn't capitalize before the end of the half, however, which sent the Hawks to the locker room with the one-point lead.

The teams exchanged a pair of free throws to start the half to keep the two-point differential, before Keyana Williams sank one-of-two from the charity stripe to tie the game at 28-28 with 18:17 to play. UAlbany regained the lead, 32-31, on back-to-back baskets by Richards and Megan Craig at 14:38. However, a 3-pointer by Elliott at 14:11 put the Hawks back on top. The teams exchanged baskets before Ebone Henry finally got her first points of the day at the 9:24 mark, and a layup by Richards tied the game at 40-40. The Great Danes took their first lead since the first half on a runner by Henry before the under-eight minute media timeout at 7:48.

After a double-foul call - which was a flagrant on Hartford's Amber Bepko - UAlbany extended its lead to 46-40 on two made free throws by Lowrie and a basket by Craig with 7:25 to play. Hartford wouldn't go away quietly, cutting the score back to two, 50-48, on two free throws by Nikkia Smith with 3:32 to play. The teams exchanged baskets, before a layup by Smith tied the game at 52-all at 1:39. Royals put a layup in with just over a minute to go to put the Great Danes back on top, and UAlbany scored the final five points of the game from the free throw line to seal up the win.

UAlbany finished the game shooting 44.2 percent (23-52) from the floor, and out-rebounded Hartford, 38-31. The Great Danes are just the fourth team in America East history, and the first since Maine in 1996 to go undefeated in the America East regular season and win the tournament title.

With the UAlbany men's team winning the league title earlier on Saturday at Vermont, this marks the sixth time in league history that both the men's and women's programs from the same institution have won the basketball titles in the same season.

University of Albany Heads To NCAA's With Defeat Over Vermont - UAlbany Sports 2013

BURLINGTON, Vt. - A full team-effort that was led by Mike Black's 14-point performance pushed the University at Albany past Vermont, 53-49, in the America East Conference Finals on Saturday, March 16 at Patrick Gymnasium. This is the first time in conference tournament history that a number 4 seed took home the conference tournament championship.


Behind Black's 14 points, the Great Dane bench came up huge, scoring 27 of the team's 53 points. Junior forward Luke Devlin led the charge off the bench, scoring 12 points and shot a perfect 6-of-6 from the field and grabbed five rebounds. Redshirt-freshman guard Peter Hooley filled the stat sheet off the bench with eight points, four assists, four steals, and two rebounds.

Vermont began the contest with a big 10-0 run to start with 17:18 left in the half. Trey Blue led the charge with five points, one three-pointer off a missed free-throw to begin the run.

Black stopped the momentum with the Great Danes first basket to cut the deficit to eight, 10-2, with 16:57 remaining. The basket led to a 11-0 run and the Great Danes first lead of 11-10, with 11:19 left in the half.

UAlbany's defense forced five consecutive turnovers during a seven-minute stretch to obtain the early lead.

Vermont took the lead back at 14-11, with 9:09 remaining, and UAlbany responded with a 17-6 run to finish the half. The Catamounts turnovers were key for the Great Danes during the run, as Peter Hooley recorded three steals and converted all three with layups.

The Great Danes led by eight, 28-20, at the end of the first half. Black led all scorers at the half, with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor.

The Catamounts started the second half, like the first half, on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to two, 28-26, with 15:49 remaining. Two big three-point plays by Ethan O'Day and Luke Apfeld were the sparked the charge.

UAlbany responded with a 10-5 run to extend its lead to five, 38-33, with 9:28 left in the contest. Jacob Iati found teammate Blake Metcalf wide open for the slam to cap the run.

With Vermont looking to gain momentum from an out-of-bounds play for O'Day to nailed a dunk, UAlbany's Black came right back down the floor and hit a big three to keep the Great Danes up six, 41-35, with 7:35 left.

The Catamonts came back with an 8-2 run to grab their first lead, 45-43, since the 11:20 mark of the first half. Sandro Carissimo hit back-to-back buckets capping the run to give Vermont the two-point lead with 2:50 remaining.

UAlbany's Iati responded with back-to-back three pointers, his first points of the game, to reclaim the lead, 49-45, with 1:10 remaining.

After Vermont's Trey Blue hit a layup to cut the deficit to two, 51-49, Great Dane junior center John Puk shut the door with the final two free throws to send his team dancing.

UAlbany's 24 wins are the most single season wins in program history. The Great Danes will wait to hear who and where they play on ESPN's Selection Show on Sunday, March 17.