By Vince Gasparini | January 22, 2024
It was a dogfight on Saturday night at the Broadview Center when the University at Albany men’s basketball team faced off against Bryant University. The Great Danes fell to the Bulldogs 98-89 in a game that saw four technical fouls handed out, including one against Bryant’s head coach Phil Martelli.
Amar’e Marshall is fifth in the America East in scoring with 16.4 points per game.
Photo Credit: Savanna Stoddart / The ASP
Bryant started the game in dominant fashion, holding a 32-8 lead over UAlbany more than halfway through the first half. However, the Great Danes were not ready to give up, fighting their way back to trail 45-37 at half. With just over a minute left in the game, the Great Danes trailed 91-86, but the Bulldogs held onto their dwindled lead in the final minute to put away UAlbany and secure the win.
The loss marks the Great Danes’ second straight at home after starting off 5-0 at the Broadview Center. They have given up over 90 points in two straight matches; a mark that head coach Dwayne Killings says “won’t work.”
“We had moments where we were locked in, laser focus,” Killings said. “We had moments where we were not, and it showed.”
Amar’e Marshall put up 26 points, leading the Great Danes in scoring for the second straight game. Marshall also led in assists with five. Jonathan Beagle led in rebounds with 11.
Five Great Danes scored double-digit points, with the team shooting a collective 40.8% from the field. Despite their offensive effort, UAlbany gave up 17 turnovers, and allowed a 51.5% performance from the field by the Bulldogs.
Bryant put on a show defensively, recording 12 blocks and 10 steals. The Great Danes outrebounded the Bulldogs 42-40. Ny’Mire Little led UAlbany in steals with four.
With their loss against Bryant, UAlbany’s record now stands at 10-9, with a 2-2 mark in America East play.
“I feel like we have the talent to compete with anybody,” Sebastian Thomas said. “It’s just really the X’s and O’s that we have to execute and I think we’ll have a good chance.”
With the Great Danes facing Maine on Thursday, they hope to keep their lead in the standings over the Black Bears, who are just one game behind. “I think sometimes we don’t understand how hard you have to prepare, and play, and work at this thing to be a championship-level program,” said Killings, who hopes to hold onto their tight lead over the conference rival.
Comments