Basketball Playoffs, Spring Sports in Full Swing at UAlbany
ALBANY, N.Y. (March 11, 2025) — The men's and women's basketball teams are competing in the America East playoffs, while lacrosse, softball, rowing, baseball, track and field and golf seasons are now under way at UAlbany.
Basketball teams vie for postseason
The women's basketball team defeated New Hampshire in the quarterfinals and Maine in the semifinals to advance to the America East championship game. With the victory over Maine, the Great Danes (26-5), the top seed in the tournament, are set to host the league championship for first time since 2017, with a spot in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on the line.
This time, UAlbany takes on No. 2 Vermont (20-12), which beat the Great Danes the last time they made it to the championship game in 2023. The team is seeking its eighth title overall. The game will be played on Friday at 5 p.m. in Broadview Center. Tickets are now available. The game will also be televised on ESPNU. The women last won the America East title in 2022.
Meanwhile, the men's basketball team earned a quarterfinal victory over Binghamton on Saturday at Broadview Center, 69-66. The team has now advanced to a semifinal showdown with top-seeded Bryant on Tuesday in Smithfield, Rhode Island. The game will be played at 9 p.m. and air on ESPN2. With a victory, the Great Danes would advance to their first America East championship game since 2017.
Lacrosse teams set for spring success
The men's lacrosse team is aiming to defend its America East title from 2024 as it looks to return to the NCAA Tournament in May. The Great Danes earned a tough road victory over Hobart on Saturday to improve to 2-4. The America East portion of the schedule begins on Saturday with a road contest against Bryant. The Great Danes' next home contest is March 22 against conference foe UMBC. The game will be played at Casey Stadium, with faceoff set for 1 p.m. On April 19, UAlbany will welcome national power Yale to Casey Stadium for a game under the lights at 7 p.m. Tickets are available now for all home games.
The women's lacrosse team is seeking its first America East championship since 2023 and fourth overall is it aims to rebound following a loss in the title game in 2024. The Great Danes (1-5) host No. 1 Boston College on Wednesday at John Fallon Field. The game is set for a 3 p.m. faceoff. The America East portion of the schedule begins on Saturday at home against Vermont, with the game set for a noon start.
Track teams look to build on winter titles
The men's track team, fresh off winning its 18th indoor title, is looking to add an outdoor title as well. At the indoor games in Boston, the Great Danes had six individual champions and 15 medalists overall while topping the leadboard with 170 points. Long jumpers Simone Menchini, Stephan Farquharson and Daniel Cephus swept the podium, with Menchini winning the title. Tooni Ogunyeye won the 60 meter race with a time of 6.72, while Antwon Messado won the 60 meter hurdles. Hassan Abidi added to the victory total with first place in the 800 meters, while Ja'Lil Reynolds won the high jump and Travis Robinson earned the win in the shot put.
The outdoor season begins on March 21 at the Black and Gold Invitational in Orlando, hosted by the University of Central Florida. Fans of the Great Danes will get two chances to see their team compete locally, first at RPI Under the Lights in Troy on April 10 and 11. Then the Great Danes will host the annual Bobbi Palma Spring Classic at the UAlbany Track and Field Complex on Friday, April 18.
The women's team, which won its 15th consecutive outdoor title in 2024 and 17th overall, will also compete at the Black and Gold Invitational, as well as RPI Under the Lights and the Bobbi Palma Spring Classic. The women won their 13th indoor title in February. Junior sprinter Shenequa Vassell led a Great Dane seep of the 60m podium, with Adaliz Hunt finishing second and Donnell Hartley finishing in third. Other winners included Rebeca Valerie Barrientos Alpha in the triple jump and Amelia Benjamin in the high jump.
Softball, baseball head to the diamond
With snow on the ground in the Capital Region, the UAlbany softball team (3-11) began its season on the road as usual. The first contests at UAlbany field for 2025 are scheduled for March 29 and 30 in a three-game series against America East opponent Bryant.
The baseball team (5-5) recently won 2 of 3 games against Hofstra in Hempstead, N.Y. The Great Danes head down I-87 to take on Army at West Point on Wednesday. The home slate begins March 28 with an America East showdown against Binghamton. The three-game series concludes on March 30, with each game beginning at 1 p.m. on Varsity Field.
Women's Golf competes for MAAC honors
The women's golf team, which competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, will look to repeat as champions after winning the 2024 MAAC title. The MAAC championships will be held in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, from April 17-19.
Women's rowing set for inaugural campaign
The newly established women's rowing team is set to compete in its inaugural season, starting with the John Ferriss Lanier Sprints Regatta in Gainesville, Georgia. The team will take part in six regattas this season, including the New York State Collegiate Championships on Fish Creek in Saratoga on April 19.