Sports Talk
By Brian DePasquale
Tucker Chosen First Team All-Independent
UAlbany’s Liz Tucker has been named to the 2000-01 Division I All-Independent women’s basketball squad. Tucker, a first-team selection, earned the award in voting by the schools’ head coaches and sports information directors.

Tucker, a senior from Plaistow, N.H., led the Great Danes in scoring (13.0 ppg), rebounding (6.4 pg), assists (3.1 pg) and steals (1.9 pg). She shot 45.5 percent from the field and 70.3 percent from the free throw line. Tucker scored in double figures in 21 of 27 games, including a season-high 27 points in a 57-56 victory over Navy.

A second-team All-Independent choice in 1999-2000, Tucker is the only player in school history to combine for 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists, and 200 steals in a career. She finished third on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,188 points, and was third in rebounds (701), fourth in assists (346), and seventh in steals (207).

Gallup Earns Spot on All-Independent Squad
UAlbany’s E.J.Gallup has been chosen to the 2000-01 Division I All-Independent men’s basketball squad. Gallup, a second-team selection, earned the honor in voting by the schools’ head coaches and sports information directors.

Gallup led the Great Danes in scoring at 17.4 points per game. He also averaged 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.9 steals, and is ranked eighth among the NCAA Division I leaders in three-point field goals made (3.3 per game). Gallup totaled the most points (487) by a freshman since Gary Holway in 1955-56. His 93 three-point field goals were one off the school’s single-season record.

Gallup, who also had the 11th-best single-season point total in UAlbany history, ranked sixth among the Independent scoring leaders. He reached double figures in 25 of 28 games, and scored 20 or more points on nine occasions. Gallup netted a season-high 31 points against Army on Feb. 3, the highest total by a freshman since 1976.

Softball Wins Hampton Tournament
Sarah Maida tossed a three-hitter in leading Albany to a 4-1 victory over Hampton in the championship game of the Hampton (Va.) Tournament on March 10. The Great Danes defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore, 12-0, in the semifinal contest.

Albany (7-10) jumped out to a 1-0 lead when tournament MVP Valerie Terry opened the first inning with a double and later scored on Liz Wieboldt’s RBI-grounder. Terry, a junior shortstop, gave the Great Danes their second run in the third as she singled and later stole second and home. Amy Hawk’s RBI double in the fourth inning gave Albany an insurance run. Maida walked three and struck out six over seven innings.

In the semifinal round, Albany used a 10-run fourth inning to oust Maryland-Eastern Shore. Freshman Jessica Kostenblatt, who tallied four RBI, blasted a three-run homer in the outburst. Terry went 3-for-3 with a triple, two RBI and three stolen bases. Kristin Couris struck out a season-high 12 batters, but lost her perfect game bid in the fourth, allowing a single to Vicki Gay.

Baseball Drops Conference Opener
First baseman Ryan Nevins homered, singled twice and drove in four runs to lead New York Tech to an 11-7 non-conference victory over UAlbany on March 18 at Presidents’ Field.

Albany (1-9) took a 5-3 lead in the sixth inning. Center fielder Michael Oliva, who totaled three runs and three hits, singled and scored in his team’s at-bat. New York Tech (3-3) rallied with five runs in the bottom of the frame. Tom Merkle’s RBI single put the Bears on top for good, before Wayne Seder plated a pair of runs with a pinch-hit single.

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