ALBANY - Vermont snapped a four-game skid against rival UAlbany at a packed SEFCU Arena on Saturday night.

“It was a much needed win for us,” Vermont coach Mike Lonergan said.

It was acatually amazing to me that the Great Danes were as close as they were considering Tim Ambrose didn't play the first half, Will Harris had his worst game of the season and Anthony Raffa didn't have nearly his best game either.

“We’re not a contender for the regular season championship because we don’t have the consistency right now for a 16-game regular season,” UAlbany coach Will Brown said.

Ambrose tried to make up for not playing in the first half by pouring in a school record-tying 29 points in the second half.

“In the second half, I just came out and left everything I had on the floor,” Ambrose said.

It still wasn't enough though and now the Great Danes are somewhat searching for answers, especially with a game against streaking Binghamton on Monday.

UAlbany had the lead down to three and had Harris on the line with 2:14 to go for a one-and-one, but he missed the front end.

“He had an off night,” Brown said. “We didn’t have guys to make up for that tonight, unfortunately,” Brown said.

Vermont hadn't won in Albany since 2007 and it took a huge effort from both Marqus Blakely and Mike Trimboli to get it done.

“They’re such a strong team,” Trimboli said. “They’re physicality overpowers us most games and most of our games have been within one or two points and when you get in situations like that, they’re always heartbreak losses. Tonight, our main goal was to try to out-tough them even though they do a good job at it."

Despite the loss, the crowd was by far the best of the season for a UAlbany game and it makes you wonder why it can't be like that nearly every game.

“The tournament’s here and if our crowd is like that for our tournament games, it will help us a lot,” senior co-captain Brian Connelly said.