By Akin Taylor | December 5, 2022
Photo Credit: Taylor O’Connor (UAlbany Athletics)
In the final game of the Greenlight Sunshine Slam, the University at Albany men's basketball team held Presbyterian to 0-11 from outside the arc in a 68-65 victory.
This was a total team win for UAlbany, with every player contributing to the scoreboard. Gerald Drumgoole Jr. led the team with 20 points, and sophomore Ny'Mire Little had his best collegiate game with 11 points, going 5-5 from the field in the first half.
Presbyterian held a 10-7 advantage at the first media timeout. Jonathan Beagle had an electric dunk for UAlbany, and Aaron Reddish had a major three-pointer. Six of Presbyterian's points came from the charity stripe. A five-point lead was extended by the Blue Hose to 17-12 by the U12. Five of UAlbany's 12 came from the hands of Drumgoole Jr., and seven of Presbyterian's 17 came from the free throw line.
UAlbany closed its deficit to just one point at the final timeout of the half, 33-32. Little got off to the best start of his collegiate career, going 5-5 from the field and 1-1 from three to lead the Great Danes with 11 points.
By the half, the Great Danes had closed a nine-point deficit and led 40-39 going into the locker room. The half ended as Jonathan Beagle hit a major three-pointer as time expired to put UAlbany up for the first time all game. During the first half, UAlbany shot 53.1% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. Presbyterian shot 51.7% from the field and went 0-5 from three.
Presbyterian took the lead coming out of the locker room, 48-46. The Great Danes started off only 2-8 from the field, but Drumgoole Jr. and Reddish both converted three-pointers.
By the U8, UAlbany seized a one-point advantage, 55-54. Presbyterian had 21 made field goals at this point, with 19 of them coming from within the paint. An 8-0 scoring run under four minutes into the game gave the Great Danes a 63-58 lead. A missed three-pointer from Little in the corner with 30 seconds left nearly gave the Great Danes a six-point lead. Despite the shot not falling, Drumgoole Jr. managed to pick up the rebound and kicked it back to Little, who was immediately fouled.
In the final seconds, Presbyterian had the ball and was down three, but they were unable to take it home. UAlbany shot 31% from the field and 41.7% from three in the second half. Presbyterian shot 33.3% from the field and finished the game without a three-pointer.