By Vince Gasparini | December 11, 2023
The past week saw the following outcomes for University at Albany sports:
Reese Poffenbarger (left) and Greg Gattuso (right) after advancing to the FCS Semifinal on Saturday.
Photo Credit: Brent Warzocha / UAlbany Athletics
Tuesday, Dec. 5:
Men’s basketball beat Division III SUNY Potsdam 98-59, en route to their fifth victory in a row, improving to a record of 6-3. Justin Neely made his return to the hardwood after having not played in a game since last November.
Five Great Danes scored in double figures, led by Marcus Jackson and Tyler Bertram with 12 each. Amar’e Marshall and Jonathan Beagle followed with 11; Beagle led the team in rebounds with nine. Sebastian Thomas scored 10 points, and tallied three assists.
Wednesday, Dec. 6:Women’s basketball defeated Central Connecticut State 56-37. The Great Danes took the lead early in the first quarter, and held it through to the end of the game. They recorded six steals as a team, led by Lilly Phillips with two.Three Great Danes scored double digit points. Kayla Cooper and Helene Haegerstrand led with 14 each, and Meghan Huerter followed with 10 as UAlbany improved to a record of 6-2.
Saturday, Dec. 9:
Football defeated #4 Idaho 30-22, advancing to the FCS Semifinal. Reese Poffenbarger threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns, and broke UAlbany’s career touchdown passes record and the single-season total offensive yards record.
Wideout Brevin Easton caught all three of Poffenbarger’s touchdown passes, finishing the night with 228 yards and nine receptions. Griffin Woodell rushed for 98 yards on 21 attempts, tacking on a touchdown from 29 yards out in the final minute.
An Anton Juncaj sack resulted in a Great Dane fumble recovery and broke UAlbany’s single-season sack record, and Dylan Kelly led the Great Danes defense with seven total tackles. UAlbany will face #1 South Dakota State on Friday at the FCS Semifinal.
Women’s basketball beat Marist 49-39, earning their third win in a row. The Great Danes defense shined as they held the Red Foxes to 30.4% from the field and recorded nine steals.
Kayla Cooper led in every statistical category for UAlbany: 23 points, 12 rebounds, four steals, three assists and three blocks. Helene Haegerstrand scored 13 points and shot 3-5 from beyond the arc. As a team the Great Danes shot 31.6% from the field. Lilly Phillips contributed three steals as the Great Danes improved to a record of 7-2.
Sunday, Dec. 10:
Men’s basketball lost to Temple 78-73, breaking their five-game win streak. The Great Danes shot 43.5% from the field, and an abysmal 5-24 from beyond the arc. Sebastian Thomas led UAlbany with 18 points. Jonathan Beagle put up 16, and led in rebounds with 15 as the Great Danes fell to a record of 6-4.