Sports Talk
By Brian DePasquale
Men's Basketball
Earv Opong hit a driving bank shot with four seconds remaining, as Albany snapped a three-game losing streak with a 51-50 America East Conference victory over Northeastern on January 26 at the Recreation and Convocation Center.

UAlbany (4-14, AE 1-6) rallied from a 50-46 deficit in the stretch. Will Brand closed the gap to a single point, as he converted a three-point play when he was fouled on a follow shot in the lane with 1:03 remaining.

Opong, a junior, then created a turnover on Northeastern’s next possession when he tied up Antonio Johnson on the right baseline. The Great Danes, who had lost seven of their previous eight contests, then set up for the last shot. Opong drove from the top of the key into the lane, and hit the game-winner off the glass. Johnson’s desperation heave, from near halfcourt, at the buzzer fell short.

The Great Danes, who posted their first-ever America East victory in the program’s inaugural conference season, built a 32-25 lead early in the second half on a three-point field goal by Antione Johnson, who scored 12.

However, Northeastern (4-16, AE 2-7) regrouped with nine unanswered points. Tim West, a senior who had 10 points, scored in the lane to give his club a 34-32 advantage. The game remained tight the rest of the way, as there were nine lead changes and nine ties overall.

Brand, who had 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and four blocks, put the Great Danes ahead 46-45 on a free throw with 3:08 to play. The Huskies, who have dropped six of their last eight outings, regained the lead on Johnson’s three-pointer in transition, and a pair of foul shots by West.

“That’s a great win because it’s our first in the conference,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team won the battle on the boards, 39-26. “We were looking to spread out their zone and penetrate for a kick-out on the last possession. Earv attacked the defense, and just made an instinctive play. Hopefully, we have turned the corner and can move forward.”

Freshman Aaron Davis, a swingman who made 8 of 15 field goals, led Northeastern with a team-high 17 points and four steals.

Women’s Basketball
Melissa Kowalski scored all 19 of her points in the first half, as Northeastern ended a six-game losing streak in conference play with a 63-54 America East victory over Albany on , January 26 at Solomon Court.

UAlbany (4-12, AE 0-5) led 19-9 midway through the opening period after Jess McGinlay, who scored 10, made a three-point field goal. Danielle Hutcheson, a freshman, had eight of her 16 points in that stretch before picking up her third foul.

Northeastern (4-15, AE 2-6) responded with 28 of the game’s next 36 points to end the stanza. Kowalski, a sophomore guard, canned five 3-pointers in that span, as her club held a 37-27 halftime advantage. Kowalski, who had 10 rebounds, recorded her first double-double of the season.

The Great Danes went through a nine-minute stretch of the second half without a field goal. Northeastern took advantage of the drought to extend its margin to 49-33 on Aisha Williams’ two free throws with 11:44 remaining.

UAlbany closed within 49-41 six minutes later, but the Huskies were able to build their lead back to double figures. Sophomore Joi Jefferson, who had 10 of her 12 points in the final half, hit consecutive baskets in a spurt that handed her club a 56-43 lead.

“I thought we came out uninspired on the defensive end,” said UAlbany coach Mari Warner, whose team lost for the fifth straight time. “This was a game we needed to win to get some momentum in the conference. Our top three scorers struggled, and Danielle’s foul trouble put us at a disadvantage.”

Northeastern’s Francesca Vanin, a freshman, added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman guard Becky Ayers was the third Albany player in double figures with 14 points.

Indoor Track
Senior Jamie Rodriguez qualified for the IC4A championships in the 5,000-meter run at Boston University’s Terrier Classic January 25-26 at the Boston University Armory. Rodriguez finished second in his section with a time of 14:35.50, and was more than 14 seconds better than the qualifying standard. Trinity’s Ryan Bak, who was clocked in at 14:35.37, edged Rodriguez at the finish line.

Freshman Kristof Molnar anchored UAlbany’s 4x800-meter relay to a second-place finish at the same meet. The Great Danes qualified for the IC4A championships in March with a time of 7:45.19, the third-fastest mark in school history. Noel Campbell, Szabolcs Molnar and Ike Cherry joined Molnar, who ran his anchor leg in 1:53, on the relay. The Great Danes bettered the IC4A standard by nearly six seconds. Nike Farm Team won the Terrier Classic title in 7:33.76. UAlbany was also second in the women’s 4x800 relay, and was clocked in 9:25.41. Dinnah Decatus went 2:18 on the second leg to lead the way. Syracuse Chargers won the race in 9:24.39.

Big Purple Growl & Ferocious Flapjack Feast
February 9-10
The Tradition Continues
This year’s event features the women’s team battling the University of Vermont Saturday at 1 p.m. and the men tipping off Sunday at noon.

Feast on Flapjacks 10:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, RACC Hall of Fame Room.

Tickets and Registration
The package includes admission to the Feast and the men’s game. Tickets are $15 for adults, $11 for children 7-12, free for children 6 and younger. Feast-only tickets are available for season ticket holders at $12 for adults, $8 for children 7-12, free for children 6 and younger. To make your reservations, call (518) 437-4493. Checks should be payable to The University at Albany Foundation. Seating is limited.

R.S.V.P. by February 1.
Call (518) 442-DANE or e-mail boxoffice@uamail.albany.edu for tickets to the men’s and/or women’s basketball games only. For more information, call (518) 437-4493.

Home Page/ Front Page/ Campus News/ Features/ Sports/ Date Book