On the Sidelines

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena vs. Manhattan

2012-02-14T00:30:00.000-05:00

Mike McMahon/The Record

Siena has a big game this evening at home, against Manhattan.

The Saints are trying to remain in the top six in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and with just three league games remaining, a win tonight would be huge.

The Jaspers are much improved from years past, as they have 11 conference wins and handed the Saints one of their most lopsided losses, 72-53, earlier this season, in Riverdale.

Siena committed a season-high 22 turnovers in the meeting earlier this season, so ball security will be a huge key to tonight's game.

MANHATTAN AT SIENA

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where:Times Union Center (8,444),Albany
Radio: TALK 1300-AM (Robert Lee, TomHuerter)
2011-12 Records: Manhattan (11-4, 18-9) Siena(6-9, 11-14)
Last Meeting: Manhattan 72, Siena 53, atDraddy Gym, Riverdale, on Jan. 14, 2012 — Manhattan leads theall-time series 47-36

PROBABLE STARTINGLINEUPS
MANHATTAN

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
31,Michael Alvarado, G, So., 6-2, 8.7

5, Mohamed Koita, G, Jr., 6-4, 2.0

24, George Beamon, G/F, Jr., 6-4, 17.8

13, Emmy Andujar, F, Fr., 6-5, 8.2

22, Roberto Colonette, F, Sr., 6-7, 6.3

SIENA

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
5,Evan Hymes, G, Fr., 5-8, 14.0
3, Kyle Downey, G, Sr., 6-2, 12.6
31, Owen Wignot, F, Sr., 6-8, 6.2
1, OD Anosike, F, Jr.,6-8, 14.8
0, Brandon Walters, C, Sr., 6-8, 6.6

MAAC STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
Iona,12-3, 20-6
Loyola (Md), 12-3, 19-6

Manhattan, 11-4, 18-9
Farifield,10-4, 15-10
Rider, 8-7, 11-16
Siena, 6-9, 11-14
Niagara,6-9, 11-16
Marist, 4-10, 9-16

Saint Peter’s, 4-11, 5-21
Canisius,1-14, 4-21

Today’s Games

Manhattanat Siena, 7 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games

Canisius atNiagara, 7 p.m.

Loyola (Md.) atMarist, 7 p.m.

Iona at Rider, 7p.m.

Saint Peter's atFairfield, 7:30 p.m.

UAlbany tops Maine, 76-68

2012-02-11T19:36:00.003-05:00

ORONO, Maine — The University at Albany men’s basketball team picked up the win they were desperately in search of on Saturday afternoon.

Gerardo Suero scored a game-high 28 points, while also dishing out six assists as the Great Danes posted a 76-68 victory over Maine, at Alfond Sports Arena.

Suero shot 11-for-22 from the field, while Luke Devlin (13) and Mike Black (11) each chipped in double figures for UAlbany (8-6, 16-12).

Coach Will Brown thought Devlin may miss the game because of back issue that flared up in the previous game against New Hampshire.

The Great Danes did play without second leading scorer Logan Aronhalt, who missed the game with a knee injury.

Alasdair Fraser scored a team-high 21 points for the Black Bears (5-8, 11-13), 14 of which came in the first half.

UAlbany returns to the floor on Wednesday, when the Great Danes host Vermont.

VIDEOS: Siena ends road woes

2012-02-11T19:20:00.001-05:00

Here are two videos, of Siena's 60-50 victory over Canisius, courtesy of the Siena Athletic Department.

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena at Canisius

2012-02-11T02:27:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

Siena hasn't played last-place Canisius yet this season.

They certainly won't take the Griffins for granted, but they desperately need a win, to snap a four-game losing streak.

The game can be seen on Time Warner-3.

The Saints have lost all seven MAAC games away from home, an astonishing stat, considering they are 5-2 at home.

Canisius played Thursday evening without talented star Gaby Belardo, but the Saints are preparing to face him this afternoon.

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany at Maine

2012-02-11T02:11:00.002-05:00

UAlbany Athletics

The University at Albany has a pivotal game this afternoon, against Maine.

They need a win for a number of reasons, but mostly because they've lost three games in a row.

Following the loss to New Hampshire, on Thursday, coach Will Brown said this was a tired team.

They will need to forget the fatigue for a few hours on Saturday.

A victory would also nearly lock up the fact that the Great Danes could finish no lower than fourth in the America East standings.

They will have their hands full, against a team they only defeated by one, 76-75, at home.

UAlbany may be without two starters, as Luke Devlin (back) and Logan Aronhalt (knee) may not play.

If Devlin and Aronhalt are out, the team will have to rely even more heavily on Mike Black (left) and Gerardo Suero, the nation's fifth leading scorer.

The Great Danes are a talented team, but this is a bad time to be playing lousy. They need a solid game to turn things around.

VIDEOS: Siena reaction after loss at Niagara

2012-02-09T22:05:00.000-05:00

Here are some highlights from Thursday night's Siena game against Niagara, courtesy of the Siena Athletic Department.

Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro talks about the 58-54 loss.

UAlbany's losing streak continues

2012-02-09T21:58:00.002-05:00

DURHAM, N.H. — The University at Albany needed a solid performance on Thursday evening and they didn’t answer the bell.

The Great Danes followed a heartbreaking loss to Boston University, on Monday, with an equally difficult to swallow, 69-64 loss, at New Hampshire’s Lundholm Gymnasium.

UAlbany (7-6, 15-12) has now lost three straight games and the fourth place Danes dropped their first game of the conference season to a team behind them in the standings (7-1) on this night.

“We’re a very, very tired group right now,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown.

That’s not a good sign for a team that is at a crossroads in its season, and with a game tomorrow afternoon at Maine.

“We’re tired right now,” Brown said. “That’s not an excuse. UNH played well.”

The Great Danes played the second half without sophomore forward Luke Devlin, who reaggravated his back injury during intermission.

Logan Aronhalt, who finished with only four points, also sat more than the final 10 minutes, dealing with a sore knee.

Still, UAlbany defeated New Hampshire (4-8, 9-14) 86-63, back on Jan. 11, and this game was nothing like that one.

The Great Danes trailed by 11 points, 58-47,with less than six minutes to play, before turning it on.

UAlbany went on a furious rally to tie the game at 61-61, but the Wildcats scored eight of the game’s final 11 points come away with the win.

Brian Benson put New Hampshire up 63-61, with 1:24 to play.

Gerardo Suero, who finished with a team-high 20 points for the Great Danes, then turned the ball over and it cost his team big time.

At the other end, Ferg Myrick scored and was fouled, to put New Hampshire up, 66-61.

“I’m proud that our guys fought late,” Brown said. “The last two possessions, we made poor decisions.”

Brown was referring to Suero’s turnover and then, with UAlbany down 67-64, Mike Black tried to draw contact on a 3-point attempt that caromed off the side of the rim and backboard.

Alvin Abreu scored a game-high 21 points for New Hampshire, while Myrick and Benson each added 19.

The Great Danes can’t afford to let this losing streak continue, so they must try to turn things around against Maine, on Saturday.

“We have to see how this group rebounds and responds,” Brown said.

College Hoops Chat - Feb. 9

2012-02-09T17:59:00.003-05:00

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=116832a1a8" >College Hoops Chat - Feb. 9</a>

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany at New Hampshire

2012-02-09T01:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

This game may not be vital for the University at Albany, in the America East Conference standings, but after blowing a 17-point lead to Boston University, on Monday, tonight's game is crucial.

The Great Danes are out to snap a two-game losing streak, when they face New Hampshire, on Thursday evening.

UAlbany sits in fourth place in the league standings, but they need to make sure there is no carryover effect from a very difficult loss, just three days ago.

The Great Danes are also 7-0 against teams below them in the standings and they'd like to make sure that continues.

The Wildcats have lost five of their last seven games and lost to UAlbany by 23 points, in January, at SEFCU.

UAlbany needs this game in the win column, more so for confidence, than anything else.

UALBANY AT NEW HAMPSHIRE

When: Tonight, 7 p.m. Where: Lundholm Gymnasium (3,000), Durham, N.H.
Internet: ESPN3.com
Radio: WOFX 980-AM2011-12 Records: UAlbany (7-5, 15-11) New Hampshire (3-8, 8-14)
Last Meeting: UAlbany 86, New Hampshire 63, at SEFCU Arena, Albany, on Jan. 11, 2012 — UAlbany leads the all-time series 13-11

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
NEW HAMPSHIRE

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Avg.
25    Alvin Abreu    G    Sr.    6-2    13.4
3    Chandler Rhoads    G    Jr.    6-4    11.9
14    Patrick Konan    F    So.    6-6    10.0
15    Ferg Myrick    F    Jr.    6-6    7.2
34    Brian Benson, F, Sr., 6-9, 7.0

UALBANY

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Avg.
10    Mike Black    G    Jr.    6-0    13.0
2    Logan Aronhalt    G    Jr.    6-3    15.6
20    Gerardo Suero    G    Jr.    6-4    21.8
11    Luke Devlin    F    So.    6-8    6.2
21    Blake Metcalf    C    Jr.    6-8    4.5

AMERICA EAST STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
Stony Brook, 11-1, 16-7
Vermont, 10-2, 16-10
Boston U., 9-3, 13-13
UAlbany, 7-5, 15-11
Maine, 5-6, 11-11
Hartford, 5-7, 5-19
New Hampshire, 3-8, 8-14
UMBC, 2-9, 3-20
Binghamton, 0-11, 0-23

Today’s Games

Maine at Boston U., 7 p.m.
UAlbany at New Hampshire, 7 p.m.
UMBC at Stony Brook, 7 p.m.

MAAC GAMEDAY; Siena at Niagara

2012-02-09T00:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

Siena has a pivotal game on Thursday evening.

The Saints are one game ahead of Niagara in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings and really trying to remain in the top six spots, to avoid having to play in the first round of the league tournament (which i can't believe is only three weeks away).

The Purple Eagles have a young, tough team that gave Siena a lot of trouble earlier this season.

Niagara has lost five games in a row, all to solid teams, but they are in a rut, for sure.

In my opinion, the Saints have to go 4-1 in their final five MAAC games, to be assured of avoiding the play-in game. That would put them at 9-9, which isn't unrealistic because they play four games against teams below them in the standings (although three of final five league games are on the road).

SIENA AT NIAGARA

When: Tonight, 7 p.m. Where: Gallagher Center (2,400), Lewiston
TV: Time Warner-3
Radio: TALK 1300-AM
2011-12 Records: Siena (5-8, 10-13) Niagara (4-9, 9-16)
Last Meeting: Siena 72, Niagara 60, at Times Union Center, Albany, on Jan. 8, 2012 — Siena leads the
all-time series 43-41

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
SIENA

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Avg.
5    Evan Hymes    G    Fr.    5-8    14.2
3    Kyle Downey    G    Sr.    6-2    12.7
31    Owen Wignot    F    Sr.    6-6    5.7
1    OD Anosike    F    Jr.    6-8    15.1
0    Brandon Walters     C    Jr.    6-8    6.4

NIAGARA

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Avg.
14    Antoine Mason    G    Fr.    6-3    15.4
1    Malcolm Lemmons    G    So.    6-3    8.7
10    Juan’ya Green    G    Fr.    6-3    16.7
12    Scotter Gillette    F    Jr.    6-8    4.8
11    Ameen Tanksley    G    Fr.    6-6    8.2

MAAC STANDINGS

School Conference    Overall
Iona    11-2    19-5
Loyola (Md.)    11-2    18-5
Manhattan    10-3    17-8
Fairfield    8-4    13-10
Rider    7-6    10-15
Siena    5-8    10-13
Niagara    4-9    9-16
Saint Peter’s    4-9    5-19
Marist    3-9    8-15
Canisius    1-12    4-19

Today’s Games

Siena at Niagara    7 p.m.
Rider at Canisius    7 p.m.
Manhattan at Fairfield    7:30 p.m.
Marist at Saint Peter’s    8:30 p.m.

Friday’s Game

Iona at Loyola (ESPNU) 7 p.m.

VIDEO: Kyle Downey previews Western NY trip

2012-02-07T22:29:00.001-05:00

Siena senior guard Kyle Downey talks about the team's trip out to Western New York.

The Saints leave town after practice on Wednesday. (in the video, I say it's a two-game losing streak, but Siena has lost three in a row).

c

VIDEO: Final play UAlbany/Boston U.

2012-02-07T00:32:00.001-05:00

Here is the final play from Monday's UAlbany/Boston University game, at SEFCU Arena.

UA's offense dries up; Suero vs. Partin

2012-02-06T23:33:00.003-05:00

ALBANY - The University at Albany played poor defensively in the second half, coughing up a 15-point halftime lead and in the process, losing a heartbreaker to Boston University, 81-78, on Monday evening.

The America East's most prolific offense played well for 35 minutes, but couldn't fire up, when the game was on the line.

The Great Danes scored just six points in the game's final five minutes, as they were outscored 11-6 to end the game.

UAlbany missed its final four shots, including two good looks from Gerardo Suero, who was right under the basket and missed four of its final six free throws.

"We had a couple good looks at thebasket,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown.

Following the two Suero misses, Logan Aronhalt had a straightaway look at a 3-pointer that rimmed off.

“That could have been a dagger rightthere,” Brown said.

To top it all off, the Great Danes didn't even get a look on the final possession, as John Puk call the ball at midcourt and looked for someone to pass to, with only two seconds to play.

Brown said that when the opposition goes on a run, his team's defense can disappear, along with its offense.

“If we have a lull, where the otherteam is scoring a little but – we turn it over or miss a coupleshots, our defense seems to go south. It's hurt us a couple timesright now."

UAlbany can blame this loss on its defense, which wasn't good in the final 20 minutes, but their normally explosive offense wasn't good at the end of the game.

PARTIN VS SUERO: If I had to bet money on who would win the America East Player of the Year award (I don't and wouldn't) it would probably come down to UAlbany's Gerardo Suero or Boston University's Darryl Partin.

Partin made me a believer, scoring a career-high 33 points, while Suero scored 28, bouncing back from the six-point outing he had against the Terriers earlier in the year.

They are the league's two most dynamic players and they showed why on Monday evening.

If it makes UAlbany fans feel any better and I'm sure it doesn't, Partin was asked about the Great Danes chances in the league tournament, even though they haven't beaten the three top teams.

“When March comes, that doesn'tmatter at all," he said. "It's those three games.”

Boston University 81, UAlbany 78

2012-02-06T22:02:00.002-05:00

ALBANY - The University at Albany coughed up a big lead and lost another chance at a big victory on Monday evening.

The Great Danes allowed a 17-point lead to slip away and Boston University stole an 81-78 victory, at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany blew a 16-point halftime lead at home, last season, to Boston University. This was a rough loss and the Great Danes (7-5, 15-11) were emotional afterwards.

The Terriers (9-3, 13-13) trailed by 16 points with 10 minutes to play, but a terrific performance from Darryl Partin brought Boston University back.

Partin finished with a game-high 33 points, finishing 12-for-17 from the field and giving his team its first lead, with 2:34 to play, on a 3-pointer, which put Boston University up 77-76.

The Great Danes were led by Gerardo Suero, who led four players in double figures with 28 points.

UAlbany, which plays next at New Hampshire on Thursday, went the game's final 2:34 without scoring.

UAlbany 46, Boston U. 31 (half)

2012-02-06T20:01:00.003-05:00

ALBANY - UAlbany needed to play well Monday evening and they certainly did in the first half.

The Great Danes got a number of difference contributions in the first 20 minutes and never trailed in the first half.

UAlbany got 12 points apiece from Gerardo Suero and Jayson Guerrier. The Great Danes built a lead as big as 17 points, 46-29, when Guerrier hit two free throws in the final minute.

This game is shaping up to be one that UAlbany prefers to play. They are 11-1, when they score more than 75 points in a game and they are obviously on pace for that.

The Great Danes are playing very unselfish basketball, as they have 12 assists (seven for Mike Black) on 15 baskets. UAlbany also killed Boston University on the glass, outrebounding them 22-11 in the first half.

The Terriers were led by Darryl Partin, who scored eight points and D.J. Irving added six.

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany vs. Boston University

2012-02-06T00:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

UAlbany needs to prove something on Monday evening.

The Great Danes haven't beaten any of the three teams that sit above them in the standings, as they are 0-4 this season.

The Terriers won the game, earlier this season and will try to steal a game away from home.

With a win, UAlbany moves back into a third place tie, while with a loss, the Great Danes are going to have a tough time getting out of fourth place.

There was a good crowd at the Big Purple Growl, on Saturday, and I'm interested to see if those people w ill show for a Monday evening game.

UALBANY VS. BOSTONUNIVERSITY

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: SEFCU Arena (4,538), Albany
Radio: WOFX980-AM
2011-12 Records: Boston University (8-3, 12-13)UAlbany (7-4, 15-10)
Last Meeting: BostonUniversity 70, UAlbany 57, Agganis Arena, Boston, on Jan. 16,2012 — Boston U. leads the all-time series 15-8

PROBABLE STARTINGLINEUPS
BOSTON UNIVERSITY

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
13,D.J. Irving, G, So., 6-0, 12.1

1, Darryl Partin, G, Sr., 6-6, 19.6

24, Travis Robinson, F, So., 6-5, 5.1

25, Patrick Hazel, F, Sr., 6-6, 7.0

15, Dom Morris, F, So., 6-7, 6.4

UALBANY

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
10, Mike Black, G, Jr., 6-0, 13.0
2, Logan Aronhalt, G, Jr.,6-3, 15.9
20, Gerardo Suero, G, Jr., 6-4, 21.6
11, LukeDevlin, F, So., 6-8, 6.3
21, Blake Metcalf, C, Jr., 6-8, 4.1

AMERICA EAST STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
StonyBrook, 10-1, 15-7

Vermont, 9-2, 15-10

Boston U., 8-3, 12-13

UAlbany, 7-4, 15-10

Maine, 5-5, 11-10

Hartford, 4-7, 4-19

New Hampshire, 3-7, 8-13

UMBC, 2-8, 3-19

Binghamton, 0-11, 0-23

Today’s Games

Boston U. at UAlbany, 7 p.m.

Vermont at Maine, 7 p.m.

Stony Brook at New Hampshire, 7 p.m.

Tuesday's Game

Hartfordat UMBC, 7 p.m.

Siena must bounce back against Fairfield

2012-02-05T11:45:00.001-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

ALBANY – The Siena men's basketballteam has been anything but super on the road this season.

The Saints have lost their last fourgames away from the homecourt and are winless in all five leaguegames, outside the city of Albany.

Yet, after dropping a tough 63-58 gameto Saint Peter's on Friday, Siena starts a three-game road trip thisafternoon, when they take on Fairfield, at 3:30 p.m.

The game can be seen on SNY in theCapital District, for fans who want an appetizer, before Super BowlXLVI, between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.

The Stags (7-4, 12-10) are coming offof an eight-point victory over Niagara, where junior guard DerekNeedham scored a career-high 32 points. Fairfield, which was the No.2 pick in the preseaon poll, has been inconsistent this season, butthe Stags seem to have righted the ship, winning four of their pastfive games.

The Saints (5-7, 10-12) won the firstmeeting, 73-60, in Albany, but they know this game will be much moredifficult.

“Fairfield's a team that's verygood,” said junior forward OD Anosike. “They're definitely in theupper echelon of the league. We got them here, when we played them athome, but it's going to be a much different atmosphere.”

In Friday's loss, Siena reallystruggled offensively, down the stretch, scoring just 12 points inthe game's final 11 minutes and finishing the game 3-for-14 from thefield.

“We did take some questionableshots,” said freshman Evan Hymes. “We probably should have gotthe ball into OD.”

Anosike had his streak of 17 straightdouble-doubles snapped, finishing with just nine points, his lowesttotal since Nov. 21, when he scored just four points, against St.Bonaventure.

The Saints are 2-8 away from Albanythis season and they must bounce back from a tough home loss to havea solid performance tonight.

“We have a tough game,” said Sienacoach Mitch Buonaguro. “We have to move on.”

The players think it could bebeneficial to have such a quick turnaround from Friday'sdisappointment.

“I think it's going to be good to getit out of our system and forget about it,” said senior guard KyleDowney.

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena at Fairfield

2012-02-05T00:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

Siena has a pivotal game on Sunday afternoon.

The Saints dropped a home game, against a team below them in the standings on Friday and now face a very talented Fairfield team.

Siena is just one game ahead of two teams (Niagara, Saint Peter's) behind them and can't afford to fall behind them, if they want to avoid the play-in round in the MAAC tournament.

Derek Needham is coming off a 32-point performance and you can be sure that Fairfield hasn't forgotten the 73-60 loss they suffered up in Albany.

SIENA AT FAIRFIELD

When: Today, 3:30 p.m.
Where:Arena at Harbor Yard (5,298),Bridgeport, Conn.
TV: SNY(Bob Huessler, Joe DeSantis)
Radio: TALK 1300-AM(Robert Lee, Andy Grazulis)
2011-12 Records: Siena (5-7,10-12) Fairfield (7-4, 12-10)
Last Meeting: Siena 73,Fairfield 60 at Times Union Center, Albany, on Jan. 6, 2012 — Sienaleads the all-time series 31-25

PROBABLE STARTINGLINEUPS
SIENA

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
5,Evan Hymes, G, Fr., 5-8, 14.2

3, Kyle Downey, G, Sr., 6-2, 12.5

31, Owen Wignot, F, Jr., 6-8, 5.9

1, OD Anosike, F, Jr., 6-8, 15.2

0, Brandon Walters, C, Sr., 6-8, 6.4

FARIFIELD

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht.,Avg.
11, Desmond Wade, G, Jr., 5-8, 6.6
3, Derek Needham,G, Jr., 5-11, 12.0
15, Maurice Barrow, F, So., 6-5, 8.9
21,Rakim Sanders, F, Sr., 6-5, 16.2
34, Ryan Olander, C, Sr., 7-0,9.5

MAAC STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
Iona,11-2, 19-5
Loyola (Md), 10-2, 17-5

Manhattan, 10-3, 17-8
Farifield,7-4, 12-10
Rider, 6-6, 9-15
Siena, 5-7, 10-12
Niagara,4-8, 9-15
Saint Peter’s, 4-8, 5-18
Marist, 3-9, 8-15
Canisius, 1-12, 4-19

Saturday’s Scores

Iona 85, Manhattan 73
Marist 80,Canisius 69

Today’s Games

Loyola (Md.) at Saint Peter's, 12p.m.
Niagara at Rider, 1 p.m.
Sienaat Fairfield, 3:30 p.m.

Stony Brook 76, UAlbany 69

2012-02-04T22:21:00.000-05:00

ALBANY - Stony Brook proved they were the better team on this night.

In a very physical, very entertaining game, the Seawolves showed why they are in first place in the America East Conference, taking down the University at Albany 76-69, on Saturday evening, at a soldout SEFCU Arena.

Stony Brook (10-1, 15-7) overcame a three-point halftime deficit, getting a team-high 17 points from sophomore guard Dave Coley.

The Great Danes (7-4, 15-10) still haven't beaten one of the top three teams in the league, losing for the fourth time to Stony Brook, Vermont and Boston University, which they host Monday at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany drops to 10-5 all-time in Big Purple Growl games.

The Great Danes women's team won the first game of the doubleheader, taking down Stony Brook 57-47, to improve to 9-2 in league play.

UAlbany 33, Stony Brook 30 (half)

2012-02-04T19:57:00.003-05:00

ALBANY - Both teams had their runs in the first half and it was an exciting 20 minutes of basketball.

Gerardo Suero, the nation's sixth leading scorer, was held off the scoreboard for the game's first eight minutes, but he ended with 11 points to lead all scorers.

Bryan Dougher leads the Seawolves with eight points.

Stony Brook has only lost one America East Conference game this season and UAlbany seems to be ignited by a huge crowd here for the 15th annual Big Purple Growl.

The Seawolves enjoyed the biggest lead in the first half, going up 19-11, following a Dougher 3-pointer.

The Great Danes came right back, going on a 12-2 run, getting an acrobatic three-point play from Suero, to take a 23-21 lead.

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany vs. Stony Brook

2012-02-04T00:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

This is a game that plenty of people should be looking forward too.

It will also be a hard ticket to come by, as it was reported that by mid-afternoon on Friday, there was only 150 tickets remaining.

UAlbany has a chance to make a statement on Saturday and in the process, try to draw a game closer to first-place Stony Brook.

If the Seawolves win, it all but ends the Great Danes' chance of winning the regular season title, as UAlbany would fall three games behind and lose the tiebreaker, in essence four games back, with five to play.

Stony Brook have lost just one of its last 12 games and that came at Boston University, on Jan. 14, in a 61-55 setback.

15TH ANNUAL BIG PURPLE GROWL
UALBANY VS. STONY BROOK

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: SEFCU Arena (4,538), Albany
TV: Time Warner-3
Radio: WOFX 980-AM
2011-12 Records: Stony Brook (9-1, 14-7) UAlbany (7-3, 15-9)
Last Meeting: Stony Brook 81, UAlbany 68 at Pritchard Gymnasium, Stony Brook, on Jan. 8, 2012 — UAlbany leads the all-time series 35-21
Notable: UAlbany is 10-4 all-time in Growl Games. Women’s Game vs. Stony Brook tips at 4:30 p.m.

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
STONY BROOK

No.    Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.,    Avg.
10    Bryan Dougher    G    Sr    6-1    14.0
5    Dave Coley    G    So.    6-2    9.6
24    Tommy Brenton    G/F    Jr.    6-5    7.8
23    Dallis Joyner    F    Sr.    6-7    8.0
21    Al Rapier    F    Sr.    6-8    9.0

UALBANY

No.    Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.,    Avg.
10    Mike Black    G    Jr.    6-0    13.0
2    Logan Aronhalt    G    Jr.    6-3    15.9
20    Gerardo Suero    G    Jr.    6-4    21.6
11    Luke Devlin    F    So.    6-8    6.3
21    Blake Metcalf    C    Jr.    6-8    4.1

AMERICA EAST STANDINGS

School    Conference    Overall
Stony Brook    9-1    14-7
Vermont    8-2    14-10
UAlbany    7-3    15-9
Boston U.    7-3    11-13
Maine    4-5    10-10
Hartford    4-6    4-18
New Hampshire    2-7    3-18
UMBC    2-7    3-18
Binghamton    0-10    0-22

Today’s Games

Hartford at Vermont, 1 p.m.
Maine at UMBC, 3:30 p.m.
Stony Brook at UAlbany, 7 p.m.
Boston U. at Binghamton, 7 p.m.

VIDEO: UAlbany/Stony Brook & Growl preview

2012-02-03T23:39:00.001-05:00

Junior point guard Mike Black talks about the upcoming game against Stony Brook and the 15th annual Big Purple Growl.

Saint Peter's 63, Siena 58

2012-02-03T21:46:00.000-05:00

ALBANY - The Siena men's basketball team let one slip away on Friday evening.

Up 16 points in the first half, the Saints scored just 12 points in the game's final 11 minutes, falling 63-58 to Saint Peter's.

The Peacocks (4-8, 5-18) swept the Saints (5-7, 10-12) this season and have now took all four meetings from the past two seasons.

The last team to sweep Siena two years in a row was when Marist did so three years in a row, from 2004-07.

OD Anosike's stretch of 17 consecutive double-doubles ended, as he finished with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Darius Conley led four Saint Peter's players in double figures with 15 points.

The Peacocks went on an 18-3 run over an eight-minute span to take the lead for good. Saint Peter's scored 44 points in the second half and shot an incredible 63.6 percent (14-22) from the field.

The Saints head back out on the road on Sunday, when they take on Fairfield, at 3:30 p.m.

Siena 28, Saint Peter's 19 (half)

2012-02-03T19:53:00.002-05:00

ALBANY - Siena jumped out in control of this game. The question looks to be can they hold on.

Kyle Downey was like a man possessed, scoring 13 points and knocking down five shots early.

The Saints got up by as many as 16 points, 25-9, after OD Anosike's only basket of the half.

Yvon Raymond lead the Peacocks with six points.

Anosike grabbed seven rebounds in the first half, but he only scored three points. His streak of 17 consecutive double-doubles could be in jeopardy.

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena vs. Saint Peter's

2012-02-03T00:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

This is setting up as a game that many people are viewing as what should be a Siena victory.

The Saints are 8-3 at home, have won six straight in Albany and 8-0 at home when scoring more than 60 points.

Siena will also be hosting its 3rd Gold Rush game (they are 2-0) and are expecting a big crowd.

Still, don't sleep on the Peacocks who play a slow, grind it out style that can win them any game if it's close.

“What we have to do is make shots and we have to execute," said Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro, before Thursday's practice.

The Saints have had all week to get ready and they know this is a game they need to have go their way.

SIENA VS. SAINT PETER’S

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: Times Union Center (8,444), Albany
TV: Time Warner-3 (Robert Lee, Tom Huerter)
Radio: TALK 1300-AM (Mike Demos, Andy Grazulis)
2011-12 Records: Saint Peter’s (3-8, 4-18) Siena (5-6, 10-11)
Last Meeting: Saint Peter’s 51, Siena 44 at Yanitelli Center, Jersey City, N.J., on Dec. 1, 2011 — Siena leads the all-time series 41-36

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
SAINT PETER’S

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
32, Lamin Fulton, G, Fr., 5-9, 9.2
12, Chris Prescott, G, Jr., 6-2, 12.0
23, Blaise Ffrench, G, Jr., 6-2, 4.2
2, Yvon Raymond, G, Jr., 6-3, 8.1
42, Darius Conley, F, Jr., 6-7, 11.1

SIENA

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
5, Evan Hymes, G, Fr., 5-8, 13.4
3, Kyle Downey, G, Sr., 6-2, 10.5
31, Owen Wignot, F, Sr., 6-6, 6.6
1, OD Anosike, F, Jr., 6-8, 17.3
0, Brandon Walters, C, Sr., 6-8, 6.7

MAAC STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
Iona, 10-2, 18-5
Manhattan, 10-2, 17-7
Loyola (Md), 9-2, 16-5
Farifield, 6-4, 11-10
Rider, 6-5, 9-14
Siena, 5-6, 10-11
Niagara, 4-7, 9-14
Saint Peter’s, 3-8, 4-18
Marist, 2-9, 7-15
Canisius, 1-11, 4-18

Thursday’s Scores

Iona 105, Canisius86
Manhattan 73, Marist 51

Today’s Games

Saint Peter’s at Siena, 7 p.m.
Rider at Loyola (ESPNU), 7 p.m.
Niagara at Fairfield, 7:30 p.m.

College Hoops Chat - Feb. 2

2012-02-02T17:27:00.000-05:00

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=65a20d9b87" >College Hoops Chat - Feb. 2</a>

Siena sets Legends Game for July

2012-02-02T13:06:00.004-05:00

Big Siena basketball fans have something scheduled for their summer vacation already.

The Saints will be playing their first Legends game, scheduled for July 19, at the Alumni Recreation Center, on campus.

There are plenty of players who have confirmed that they will play in the game, including recent stars from the past three MAAC titles like Edwin Ubiles, Kenny Hasbrouck, Ronald Moore, Ryan Rossiter, Clarence Jackson, Alex Franklin and current Harlem Globetrotter Tay Fisher.

Siena Athletics

Other players like Michael Haddix, Dwayne Archbold, Marc Brown, Marcus Faison, Tom Huerter, Antoine Jordan and Prosper Karangwa will also participate.

Tickets can be purcahsed for $12/7 in advance or at the door $15/10.

Check out Siena's release for more information.

VIDEO: UAlbany/UMBC postgame

2012-02-02T00:20:00.002-05:00

Below Will Brown talks about his team's 87-76 victory over UMBC on Wednesday.

UAlbany 87, UMBC 76

2012-02-01T21:49:00.001-05:00

ALBANY - UAlbany got the job done.

It wasn't a blowout and it might not have been pretty, but the Great Danes (7-3, 15-9) earned their third straight victory on Wednesday evening, 87-76, over UMBC.

UAlbany led by as many as 24 points, midway through the second half, but UMBC (2-8, 3-18) didn't go away.

Gerardo Suero scored a game-high 32 points and Logan Aronhalt added 21 for the Great Danes.

Ryan Cook led the Retrievers with 28 points.

UAlbany has a big matchup with first-place Stony Brook, on Saturday, in the Big Purple Growl.

UAlbany 44, UMBC 34 (half)

2012-02-01T19:51:00.002-05:00

ALBANY - This game is certainly being played at UAlbany's pace.

The Great Danes got 21 points in the first half from Gerardo Suero and lead by 10 at intermission.

Suero is 6-for-9 from the floor and finished the first 20 minutes, 8-for-8 from the free throw line.

Ryan Cook leads the Retrievers with 13 points, while Brian Neller added eight.

The Great Danes led by 17, 44-27, following a 3-pointer from Jacob Iati, but the Retreivers went on a 7-0 lead to end the half and make it a game.

UAlbany certainly is the more talented team and they are just 20 minutes away from moving to 9-0 on the home court.

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany vs. UMBC

2012-02-01T00:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

The University at Albany begins a three-game homestand on Wednesday, when they host the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

The Great Danes are 8-0 at home and 6-3 in the America East.

These next three games will go a long way in determining where UAlbany finishes in the conference standings.

“It’s a tough stretch," said sophomore Luke Devlin. "It’s something, where if we can emerge, hopefully with three wins, that’ll put us in a very good position to finish up the conference season.”

Gerardo Suero is now eighth in the country in scoring at 21.1 points per game. He is the leading scorer in the league.

UMBC AT UALBANY

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: SEFCU Arena (4,538), Albany .
Radio: WOFX 980-AM (Zach Bye)
2011-12 Records: UMBC (2-6, 3-17) UAlbany (6-3, 14-9)
Last Meeting: UAlbany 89, UMBC 72 at Retrievers Activities Center, Baltimore, Md., on Jan. 5, 2012 — UAlbany leads the all-time series 13-6

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
UMBC

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Avg.
11    Jarrel Lane    G    Fr.    6-0    2.4
12    Ryan Cook    G    Jr.    6-2    12.0
15    Brian Neller    G    Jr.    6-4    11.4
1        Chase Plummer    F    So.    6-6    14.0
34    Jake Wasco    F    Sr.    6-8    4.4

UALBANY

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Avg.
10    Mike Black    G    Jr.    6-0    13.3
2        Logan Aronhalt    G    Jr.    6-3    15.7
20    Gerardo Suero    G    Jr.    6-4    21.1
11    Luke Devlin    F    So.    6-8    6.4
21    Blake Metcalf    C    Jr.    6-9    4.3

AMERICA EAST STANDINGS

School    Conference    Overall
Stony Brook    8-1    13-7
Vermont    7-2    13-10
Boston U.    7-2    11-12
UAlbany    6-3    14-9
Maine    4-5    10-10
Hartford    4-5    4-17
UMBC    2-6    3-17
New Hampshire    2-7    7-13
Binghamton    0-9    0-21

Today’s Games

UMBC at UAlbany    7 p.m.
Vermont at Boston U.    7 p.m.
Binghamton at Stony Brook    7 p.m.
Hartford at New Hampshire    7 p.m.

UAlbany gets Rider in BracketBusters

2012-01-30T23:41:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

The University at Albany learned of its ESPN BracketBusters opponent on Monday evening.

The Great Danes will get MAAC foe Rider, which just beat Siena on Sunday, 83-72. The Saints beat the Broncs earlier in the season.

The game is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m., at SEFCU Arena.

“Facing Albany will be a real test for us,” Rider coach Tommy Dempsey told The Trentonian's Kyle Franko. “We look forward to the challenge.”

The Broncs are 6-5 at in fifth place in the MAAC, with a 9-14 record overall. They have played much better recently, as they started the season 1-11. Rider was picked fourth in the MAAC preseason poll.

It should be a good, exciting matchup as both teams can score and are pretty talented.

Siena loses at Rider, but sweeps MAAC awards

2012-01-30T23:29:00.001-05:00

Jackie Schear/For The Record

Here is a link to Sunday's game story, won by Rider of Siena, filed by Kyle Franko, a writer at our sister paper, The Trentonian.

Also making news for Siena was the fact that OD Anosike was named MAAC Player of the Week, while Rob Poole was named MAAC Rookie of the Week.

Siena will take on Hofstra, of the Colonial Athletic Association, on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 4 p.m., in an ESPN BracketBusters game.

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena at Rider

2012-01-29T00:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

Below is a game capsule for Sunday's pivotal MAAC game between Siena and Rider.

The two teams are 5-5 in the league and if Siena can win they'll earn the tiebreaker of Rider, because they beat them earlier this season.

SIENA AT RIDER

When: Today, 2 p.m.
Where: Alumni Gymnasium (1,650), Lawrenceville, N.J.
Radio: TALK 1300-AM (Robert Lee, Andy Grazulis)
2011-12 Records: Siena (5-5, 10-10) Rider (5-5, 8-14)
Last Meeting: Siena 83, Rider 79 at Times Union Center, Albany, on Jan. 12, 2012 — Siena leads the all-time series 25-11

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
SIENA

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
5, Evan Hymes, G, Fr., 5-8, 14.1
3, Kyle Downey, G, Sr., 6-2, 12.7
31, Owen Wignot, F, Sr., 6-6, 5.7
1, OD Anosike, F, Jr., 6-8, 15.2
0, Brandon Walters, C, Sr., 6-8, 6.1

RIDER

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
5, Jonathon Thompson, G, Jr., 6-4, 7.0
15, Eddie Mitchell, G, Fr., 6-0, 4.8
13, Daniel Stewart, F, So., 6-7, 12.5
23, Novar Gadson, G/F, Sr., 6-7, 9.4
31, Brandon Penn, F, Sr., 6-8, 12.6

MAAC STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
Iona, 8-2, 16-5
Loyola (Md), 8-2, 15-5
Manhattan, 8-2, 15-7
Fairfield, 5-4, 10-10
Rider, 5-5, 8-14
Siena, 5-5, 10-10
Niagara, 4-6, 9-13
St. Peter’s, 3-7, 4-17
Marist, 2-7, 7-13
Canisius, 1-9, 4-16

Today’s Games

Marist at Fairfield, 1 p.m.
Siena at Rider, 2 p.m.
Loyola (Md.) at Canisius, 2:15 p.m.
Manhattan at Niagara, 4 p.m.
Iona at Saint Peter’s, 4:30 p.m.

UAlbany steals road game at Hartford, 72-60

2012-01-28T19:59:00.001-05:00

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The University at Albany men’s basketball team was down, but not out.

Late in the second half, the Great Danes trailed by four, but they went a terrific run to close out the game and take home a road victory.

UAlbany finished the game on a 16-0 run, to emerge with a 72-60 victory over Hartford, on Saturday afternoon, at Chase Family Arena.

“This was a huge win for us,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown.

The Great Danes (6-3, 14-9) trailed 60-56, with five minutes to play, but that’s when the offense went into high gear, leaving the Hawks (4-5, 4-17) in the dust.

Jayson Guerrier hit a 3-pointer to pull UAlbany within one and then Logan Aronhalt scored five straight points, to put the Danes up to stay.

“We haven’t won here in a couple years,” Brown said. “It’s a good win for us. Every contributed.”

Chase Arena is the site of this year’s America East Conference postseason tournament and the site where UAlbany lost to Stony Brook in last year’s quarterfinals.

Gerardo Suero didn’t start the game for the Great Danes, due to a thigh bruise, but the nation’s fourth leading scorer still finished with 14 points.

Aronhalt finished with nine of the Danes’ final 13 points, finishing with a team-high 17 points for the game.

“This was a good win because Logan’s really hurting and Suero was banged up,” Brown said.

Jacob Iati hit back-to-back treys midway through the second half to give UAlbany a 51-44 lead.

“I’m happy for Jacob because nobody works harder,” Brown said.

Iati finished with eight points on 2-for-4 shooting from the field and played some big minutes, with point guard Mike Black in foul trouble.

“I’m glad he was able to really contribute tonight,” Brown said of Iati. “He did a tremendous job.”

The victory was just the second conference road win of the season for UAlbany.

“It’s hard to win on the road in this league,” said Brown, whose team is 8-0 at home this year.

The Great Danes are now alone in fourth place, just two games out of first, with seven games remaining.

“We just have to be solid and if we’re solid we’ll be able to win games,” Brown said.

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany at Hartford

2012-01-28T00:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

UAlbany hits the road on Saturday, when they take on the University of Hartford.

The Great Danes will be looking to earn their second conference road victory of the season.

UAlbany hasn't seen the results they've wanted on the road in America East play, but they're going to need to pile up so road victories if they want to stay with the top of the pack in the league.

Logan Aronhalt and Will Brown both said it was important to play well at Hartford. That's where the postseason tournament will be held and so UAlbany would like to have a good performance on that floor.

UALBANY AT HARTFORD

When: Today, 4 p.m.
Where: Chase Arena, West Hartford, CT.
Radio: WOFX 980-AM (Rodger Wyland, Zach Bye)
2011-12 Records: UAlbany (5-3, 13-9) Hartford (4-4, 4-16)
Last Meeting: UAlbany 88, Hartford 63 at SEFCU Arena, Albany on Jan. 2, 2012 — UAlbany leads the all-time series 16-10

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
UALBANY

No./Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
10, Mike Black, G, Jr., 6-0, 13.5
2, Logan Aronhalt, G, Jr., 6-3, 15.6
20, Gerardo Suero, G, Jr., 6-4, 21.5
11, Luke Devlin, F, So., 6-8, 6.6
21, Blake Metcalf, C, Jr., 6-9, 4.2

HARTFORD

No./Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
11, Andres Torres, G, Sr., 5-10, 11.8
32, Clayton Brothers, G, Sr., 6-1, 3.6
15, Yolonzo Moore II, G, Fr., 6-2, 5.7
1, Mark Nwakamma, F, Fr., 6-6, 7.5
43, Nate Sikma, F, Fr., 6-6, 8.4

AMERICA EAST STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
Stony Brook, 8-1, 13-7
Boston U., 7-2, 11-12
Vermont, 6-2, 12-10
UAlbany, 5-3, 13-9
Hartford, 4-4, 4-16
Maine, 3-5, 9-10
New Hampshire, 2-6, 7-12
UMBC, 2-6, 3-17
Binghamton, 0-8, 0-20

Friday’s Scores

Stony Brook 66, Boston U. 57

Today’s Games

Binghamton at Maine, 2 p.m.
UAlbany at Hartford, 4 p.m.

Sunday’s Games

New Hampshire at Vermont, 12 p.m.

VIDEO: Logan Aronhalt talks Hartford

2012-01-27T23:43:00.003-05:00

UAlbany junior Logan Aronhalt talks about the upcoming game against Hartford

Siena 66, Marist 55

2012-01-27T21:52:00.002-05:00

ALBANY - Siena led the entire way, but the victory wasn't all easy

Marist cut the lead to two, with just seven minutes to play, but the Saints had enough to pull out a 66-55 victory.

The victory was the 10th straight for Siena over Marist.

OD Anosike registered his 16th consecutive double-double, with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Rob Poole and Evan Hymes each scored 15 points for the Saints (5-5, 10-10).

The Saints shot 49 percent (24-49)

The Red Foxes (2-7, 7-13) were led by Chavaughn Lewis, who scored 21 points off the bench.

Siena heads to Rider on Sunday, for a 2 p.m. tip.

Siena 36, Marist 27 (half)

2012-01-27T20:03:00.001-05:00

ALBANY - Siena has led from the start in this game.

Marist started shooting terribly from the field, but bounced back and this is a game headed to the second half.

Rob Poole hit double figures first for Siena. He has 10 points at halftime, while OD Anosike has 13 points and five rebounds at halftime.

The Red Foxes started the game 1-for-14 from the field, but they finished the half 8-for-30 (26.7%).

Marist was led by Devin Price who has 11 points.

It should be a good second half.

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena vs. Marist

2012-01-27T00:30:00.000-05:00

Mike McMahon/The Record

The Siena men's basketball team looks to get back to .500, in the conference and overall this evening.

The game is a doubleheader with the women's game against Saint Peter's and likely won't start until 7:30 p.m., or so.

This is a very important game for the Saints, to build on the momentum they gathered in the victory over Iona and to carry into Sunday's road date, against Rider.

“Marist is a team that is better than last year," said Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro.

The Saints have posted some very solid conference wins, but they know that means nothing heading into a game they are favored in.

“The thing about the MAAC, anyone can win, said freshman point guard Evan Hymes.

MARIST AT SIENA

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: Times Union Center (8,444), Albany
Radio: TALK 1300-AM (Robert Lee, Tom Huerter)
2011-12 Records: Marist (2-6, 7-12) Siena (4-5, 9-10)
Last Meeting: Siena 81, Marist 73 at Times Union Center, Albany, on Feb. 27, 2011 — Siena leads the all-time series 45-22

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
MARIST

No./Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
11, Isaiah Morton, G, Fr., 5-8, 8.4
0, Devin Price, G, Jr., 6-1, 13.5
20, Jay Bowie, G/F, So., 6-5, 5.4
15, Anell Alexis, G/F, So., 6-6, 5.6
50, Adam Kemp, F, So., 6-10, 9.3

SIENA

No./Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Avg.
5, Evan Hymes, G, Fr., 5-8, 14.1
3, Kyle Downey, G, Sr., 6-2, 13.2
31, Owen Wignot, F, Sr., 6-6, 5.6
1, OD Anosike, F, Jr., 6-8, 14.9
0, Brandon Walters, C, Sr., 6-8, 6.3

MAAC STANDINGS

School, Conference, Overall
Iona, 7-2, 15-5
Loyola (Md), 7-2, 14-5
Manhattan, 7-2, 14-7
Fairfield, 5-3, 10-9
Rider, 5-5, 8-14
Siena, 4-5, 9-10
Niagara, 4-5, 9-12
St. Peter’s, 3-7, 4-17
Marist, 2-6, 7-12
Canisius, 1-8, 4-15

Thursday’s Scores

Rider 90, St. Peter’s 55

Today’s Games

Marist at Siena, 7 p.m.
Iona at Fairfield (ESPNU), 7 p.m.
Loyola (Md.) at Niagara, 7 p.m.
Manhattan at Canisius, 7:15 p.m.

College Hoops Chat - Jan. 26

2012-01-26T17:55:00.002-05:00

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=f4f21b3d54" >College Hoops Chat - Jan. 26</a>

Jacob Iati's halftime speech get UAlbany's attention

2012-01-26T01:00:00.002-05:00

ALBANY - By the time Will Brown got into the locker room, Wednesday evening for the halftime break, no more shouting was needed.

The University at Albany trailed winless Binghamton 33-31, but the Great Danes had already been read the riot act...from one of their own.

While Brown was in the hallway talking to his assistants, reserve guard Jacob Iati went up and down his teammates, despite the fact that he only played briefly.

“It was music tomy ears," said Brown, who surely would have let his team have it, for trailing a 0-19 team at intermission.

Iati was going bonkers according to Brown, letting his teammates know that they had to turn things around in the second half.

"I don't think anybody on our team, and these guys can disagree with me if they want," Brown said, motioning to Mike Black and Gerardo Suero, "wants to win more than that kid."

Brown said that Iati will be working for him one day because he cares so much about winning and putting the team first.

"He practices like its the national title every day," Brown said. "He wants to win. He tried to help his team win with his halftime message."

Iati's teammates were fine with him taking them to task.

“He's like our rah-rah guy,” said Black.

Iati has only played 54 minutes this season and is averaging 1.2 points per game, but his effort and heart make him a joy to have on the team.

"You can't get enough guys like that, who just want to win," Brown said.

UAlbany 74, Binghamton 68

2012-01-25T21:40:00.003-05:00

ALBANY - The University at Albany dodged a bullet on Wednesday.

The Great |Danes trailed at halftime, but surged ahead late and came out with a 74-68 victory over Binghamton at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany (5-3, 13-9) improved to 8-0 at home and dropped Binghamton to 0-20 on the season.

Gerardo Suero scored a game-high 25 points for the Great Danes, while grabbing seven rebounds and Mike Black chipped in 19 points.

Robert Mansell led the Bearcats with 22 points and Ben Dickinson finished with 21 points and eight rebounds.

UAlbany took the lead for good, with 7:35 remaining, as Luke Devlin scored in the middle of a 10-0 run that put the Great Danes up 61-54.

The Great Danes head to Hartford on Saturday.

Binghamton 33, UAlbany 31 (half)

2012-01-25T19:51:00.000-05:00

ALBANY - This game is one half away from becoming a pretty big story.

Winless Binghamton leads UAlbany 33-31 at halftime.

The Great Danes really struggled shooting the ball, starting 3-for-14 from the field, while the Bearcats made six of its first 10 shots.

Robert Mansell leads Binghamton with 11 points. The Bearcats actually had their biggest lead of the season, when they led by seven points twice in the first half.

UAlbany is led by Gerardo Suero, who has nine points, while Logan Aronahalt and Mike Black each have eight points for the Great Danes.

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany vs. Binghamton

2012-01-25T00:30:00.000-05:00

Jeff Couch/The Record

The University at Albany men's basketball team returns home on Wednesday evening and they certainly were in need of a home game.

The Great Danes have lost their last two road games and are 7-0 at home this season.

Binghamton doesn't have a win yet this season. They are just one of two teams in the country that can say that (Towson is the other).

“You have to put records aside, especially in conference play," said UAlbany coach Will Brown. "A lot of it has to do with matchups.”

That said, the Great Danes should win this game and they need to start rolling up the wins because the teams at the top (Boston U., Vermont and Stony Brook) all continue to win.

BINGHAMTON AT UALBANY

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: SEFCU Arena (4,538), Albany
TV: Time Warner-3 (Rodger Wyland, John Quattrocchi)
Radio: WOFX 980-AM (Zach Bye)
2011-12 Records: Binghamton (0-7, 0-19) UAlbany (4-3, 12-9)
Last Meeting: UAlbany 57, Binghamton 54, at Events Center, Vestal, on Feb. 20, 2011 —
UAlbany leads the all-time series 58-29

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
BINGHAMTON

No./Name    Pos.,    Yr.    Ht.    Avg.
10   Mike Black    G    Jr.    6-0    13.2
2    Logan Aronhalt    G    Jr.    6-3    15.8
20    Gerardo Suero    G    Jr.    6-4    21.3
11    Luke Devlin    F    So.    6-8    6.4
21    Blake Metcalf    C    Jr.    6-9    4.2

UALBANY

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Avg.
20    Jimmy Gray    G    Jr.    6-0    6.5
2    Robert Mansell    G    So.    6-4    14.6
3    Chris Longoria    G    Fr.    6-4    7.5
33    Omar Richards    F    Fr.    6-8    4.0
14    Ben Dickinson    F    Fr.    6-9    12.3

AMERICA EAST STANDINGS

School    Conference    Overall
Boston U.    7-1    11-11
Stony Brook    6-1    11-7
Vermont    6-2    12-10
UAlbany    4-3    12-9
Hartford    4-3    4-15
Maine    2-5    8-10
New Hampshire    2-5    7-11
UMBC    2-6    3-17
Binghamton    0-7    0-19

Tuesday’s Scores

Boston U. 83 UMBC 48

Today’s Games

Binghamton at UAlbany    7 p.m.
Maine at New Hampshire    7 p.m.
Hartford at Stony Brook    7 p.m.

UAlbany's Aronhalt deals with emotional week

2012-01-24T22:55:00.002-05:00

Jeff Couch/The Record

ALBANY - It was only minutes after Thursday night's game at Vermont, when Logan Aronhalt was overcome with emotion.

How could he not be?

The University at Albany's junior guard had just netted his 1,000th career point and had an ankle that was swelling up after he rolled it in the second half.

On top of that, it was only hours before he would return to Ohio, for the funeral of his grandfather.

“It was definitely a tough week for me," said Aronhalt, before Tuesday's practice.

Aronhalt returned to Zanesville on Friday morning, getting there just in time for the services.

“Outside of his dad, that was his closest relative to him," said UAlbany coach Will Brown. "He was a basketball junkie.”

Aronhalt, who has started his graduate classes at UAlbany, will be recognized for scoring his 1,000th point before Wednesday's game against Binghamton.

“Scoring 1,000 points is a tremendous honor," he said. "I’m very excited about that. I’d like to thank my teammates and my coaches. They’ve helped me tremendously through the rough times, especially last week.”

After Aronhalt scored his milestone point, on a 3-pointer from the corner, the Vermont public address announcer made an annoucement at the next dead ball. While Vermont and UAlbany are big rivals, Aronhalt appreciated that gesture.

“I think that shows the respect that we have for each other," he said. "It seems like every time we play, it’s a battle to the end, but I think there’s a lot of respect there and that showed it.”

Aronhalt returned to campus on Sunday evening, but didn't practice Monday because of the ankle and Brown said it would likely be a game-time decision if Aronhalt would suit up.

My guess is you'll see No. 2 out there on the floor for the Great Danes.

Coach Buonaguro defends Kyle Downey

2012-01-24T16:19:00.002-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

LOUDONVILLE - Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro has gone on the defensive about senior guard Kyle Downey twice in the past 24 hours.

Downey hit two go-ahead shots in last night's 65-62 upset victory over Iona.

"I know last year, he came under a lot of unfair criticism," Buonaguro said at Monday's meeting witht he media. "He even said it to me."

Downey is averaging 13.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, but has still been looked at by some fans as a role player.

Last season, Downey even got booed at home on a couple of different instances.

"I can't accept that," Buonaguro said. "No one should boo Kyle Downey for what he reprsents. I don't care how bad he plays."

Buonaguro said he was passionate about defending Downey because of all the hard work he's put in.

"I come to his defense because whatever he does, good or bad, he represents was a student-athlete should represent in college," Buonaguro said. "He's a great student. He worked extremely hard in the offseason, harder than any player on the team. He backs me up for everything I do. He's a great leader. He's a great guy for me to have in the locker room. I'm going to defend him to the hill."

Downey has proven this season that he is an impact player and he has been a significant part of the Saints playing so well.

VIDEO: Siena/Iona final play

2012-01-24T01:01:00.000-05:00

Here is the final play of Monday's Siena and Iona game, from my view on press row.

Poole steps up in Saints victory over Iona

2012-01-23T23:55:00.002-05:00

ALBANY - Rob Poole stepped to the free throw line, with Siena's upset victory over Iona, hanging in the balance.

The freshman calmly knocked down four free throws in the final 2:28, as the Saints posted an improbable 65-62 win.

Poole had been struggling at the free throw line for the first half of the season, but he's made an adjustment. He's now looking at the rim, instead of following the ball towards the basket.

Poole posted some impressive numbers on Monday, finishing with 14 points, six rebounds and six assists as the Saints moved to 7-3 at home this season.

"He played like the kind of recruit that I thought he would be," said Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro. "He was a major impact player today."

Poole was very good in the second half, as he handled the ball and also was able to find his teammates.

"The defense gave me a lot of open lanes, so I just took advantage of what they gave me," he said.

DOWNEY PLAYS BIG: Kyle Downey hasn't been practicing recently, but that hasn't stopped him from having a terrific season.

In addition to hitting the go-ahead shot and hitting a couple treys, Downey played the entire second half with three fouls.

“He's not a role player," Buonaguro said. "He's aterrific player. You know why he's a terrific player because lastsummer he went into the gym for three hours a day. This is why he didwhat he did tonight. He's been the hardest worker of any player we'vehad at Siena, since I've been here, in seven years.”

ANOSIKE POST ANOTHER DOUBLE-DOUBLE: OD Anosike posted his 15th consecutive double-double, with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

He only scored one point in the final 13 minutes and yet the Saints were still able to come out with the victory. It was an incredible turnaround from losing by 36 points, just three weeks ago.

“I think this game how much betterwe've gotten since that game,” Anosike said.

Anosike played the final six minutes with four fouls and still was a pest on the defensive end.

“When OD gets four fouls, hestill plays aggressive and plays hard," Poole said. "Thank god for OD.”

Siena 65, Iona 62

2012-01-23T21:51:00.003-05:00

ALBANY - Siena faced almost as much adversity as a team can face on Monday evening.

The Saints trailed big, were in foul trouble and facing the best team in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Siena has been very resilient this season, but a 65-62 victory over Iona, may signal the best performance of the year.

The Saints (4-5, 9-10) trailed 20-2 in the first five minutes and had nearly all of their seven players in big-time foul trouble, but still rallied to pull off a huge upset.

The Gaels (7-2, 15-5) shot just 29 percent (9-31) from the floor in the second half and missed all eight 3-pointers after halftime.

OD Anosike posted his 15th consecutive double-double, with 17 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while Kyle Downey scored 16 point and Rob Poole added 14.

Iona still hasn't swept Siena since the 1996-97 season and hasn't won in Albany since the 2005-06 season.

The Gaels were led by big man Mike Glover, who finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Siena hosts Marist on Friday.

Iona 39, Siena 29 (half)

2012-01-23T20:05:00.000-05:00

ALBANY - What a first half.

Iona came out guns blazing, scoring 20 of the game's first 22 points.

Somehow Siena withstood the blow and has rallied back to only trail by 10 at halftime.

O.D. Anosike has 12 points and nine rebounds in the first half for the Saints, while Scott Machado and Mike Glover combined for 26 points for the Gaels.

Siena is in all sorts of foul trouble. Kyle Downey has three fouls, while Anosike, Brandon Walters and Evan Hymes all have two fouls.

Iona had two technical fouls called on them in the first half, one against Sean Armand for shoving Marcus Hopper. The other was assessed to Machado (his third foul), who wasn't even on the floor at the time.

Hopper gave Siena good minutes with all of the foul trouble, but it'll be interesting to see if Siena can stand in and fight or will slowly fade like they have in games past, due to fatigue.

This should be a good finish.

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena vs. Iona

2012-01-23T00:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

Iona comes into Albany tonight, bringing with them the bulls-eye of being the conference's top team and also having an offense that can simply obliterate the opponent.

Siena found that out last time these two teams played. The result was a 95-59 loss at Madison Square Garden.

The Gaels are coming in off a equally impressive 91-71 demolishing of Rider.

Iona hasn't won in Albany since the 2005-06 season. Since 2000, Siena is 10-1 against Iona in Albany and the Gaels haven't swept the season series from the Saints since the 1996-97 season.

The Saints have also won 10 of the last 12 meetings between these two schools, including last year's 73-67 victory at home. The Gaels won the next two meetings though, including a 30-point drubbing in the MAAC quarterfinals.

OD Anosike is still the nation's leading rebounder and he has a streak of 14 consecutive double-doubles. In fact, Anosike has had double-digits in rebounding in all but one game this season, when he finished with nine (Nov. 23 vs. Georgia Tech).

VIDEOS: Siena stumbles at Loyola

2012-01-20T16:34:00.001-05:00

Here are two videos from the Siena Athletic Department, from last night's xx-xx loss, at Loyola (Md.)

Here is a link to our story, from stringer Harvey Valentine.

Vermont tops UAlbany 73-69

2012-01-19T21:57:00.002-05:00

BURLINGTON, Vt. — The University at Albany has had a difficult time in road games.

The Great Danes played well enough to win on Thursday evening, but too many turnovers cost them a crucial America East game.

UAlbany turned the ball over 18 times, three coming in the final 90 seconds, as Vermont held on for a 73-69 victory at Patrick Gymnasium.

The Great Danes (4-3, 12-9) trailed just 68-67, following two free throws, with 1:47 remaining, but turned the ball over on three of their final five possessions.

“Too anxious,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown. “That was our problem in the first half.”

The Catamounts (5-2, 11-10) were unable to pull away in the first half, but held the lead, due in part to 13 Great Danes turnovers.

Logan Aronhalt, who came into the game just three points shy of 1,000 points for his career, didn’t score in the first half.

In the second half, Aronhalt finished with 12 points and nearly brought the team back on his own.

He cracked the 1,000-point plateau on a 3-pointer, from the corner, midway through the second half.

Later, he hit another trey to put UAlbany up 67-66, with less than four minutes to play.

“I’m just happy that Logan’s had a chance to play the past two games, with what he’s been dealing with,” Brown said.

Aronhalt will return home to Ohio, on Friday, to be with his family after the passing of his grandfather.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family,” Brown said.

Following two Great Danes turnovers, Matt Glass canned a 3-pointer, with 31 seconds to play, putting Vermont up 71-67.

“I don’t know how we lost Glass on that three,” Brown said.

Gerardo Suero led the way for UAlbany, with 16 points, while Glass added 16 for Vermont.

The Great Danes dropped to 1-3, on the road, in America East Conference play and slides back into fifth place with their second straight defeat.

“We’ve lost three road games to teams in the league that I think are pretty good,” Brown said.

UAlbany has a week off before hosting Binghamton, on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at SEFCU Arena.

College Hoops Chat - Jan. 19

2012-01-19T17:02:00.002-05:00

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=b30a2af807" >College Hoops Chat - Jan. 19</a>

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena at Loyola (Md.)

2012-01-19T01:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro worried about two things earlier this week - a lack of bodies and fullcourt pressure defense.

Buonaguro has wondered (aloud) a couple times this season why opposing teams aren't pressing them. On Saturday, Manhattan pressed them and the result was not good for Siena.

This game also does not play into the Saints' favor because Loyola likes to get up and down and plays a lot of different players.

On the road, this is not a good matchup for Siena and if they are able to pick up a win, it would be huge, with Iona waiting in the wings.

For the first time since the start of the season, OD Anosike is now the leading scorer, surpassing freshman Evan Hymes.

Anosike still has a streak of 13 straight double-doubles, which he will look to build on.

SIENA AT LOYOLA (MD)

When: Tonight, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Reitz Arena (2,100) Baltimore, Md.
Radio: TALK — AM 1300 (Robert Lee, Tom Huerter)
2011-12 Records: Siena (3-4, 8-9) Loyola (5-2, 12-5)
Last Meeting: Loyola 76, Siena 69, at Times Union Center, Albany, Feb. 7, 2011 — Siena leads the all-time series 37-15

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
SIENA

No.    Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Ppg.
5    Evan Hymes    G    Fr.    5-8    14.7
3    Kyle Downey    G    Sr.    6-2    12.9
31    Owen Wignot    F    Sr.    6-6    5.3
1    OD Anosike    F    Jr.    6-8    14.8
0    Brandon Walters    F    Sr.    6-8    6.4

LOYOLA (MD)

No.    Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Ppg.
12    R.J. Williams    G    Fr.    5-8    3.9
3    Dylon Cormier    G    So.    6-2    15.5
25    Robert Olson    G    Jr.    6-4    10.4
24    Erik Etherly    F    Jr.    6-7    12.2
5    Shane Walker    F    Sr.    6-10    9.5

MAAC STANDINGS

School    Conference    Overall
Iona    6-1    14-4
Loyola (Md.)    5-2    12-5
Manhattan    5-2    12-7
Fairfield    4-3    9-9
Siena    3-4    8-9
Niagara    3-4    8-11
Rider    3-4    6-13
St. Peter’s    3-4    4-14
Marist    2-5    7-11
Canisius    1-6    4-13

Today’s Schedule

Fairfield at St. Peter’s    7 p.m.
Siena at Loyola (Md.)    7:30 p.m.
Niagara at Canisius    8:30 p.m.

Friday’s Schedule

Manhattan at Marist, 9 p.m.
Rider at Iona (ESPNU), 10 p.m.

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany at Vermont

2012-01-19T00:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

This is a huge game for the University at Albany.

The Great Danes have so far played the tougher league teams on the road (Stony Brook, Boston U., Vermont) and some easier teams (New Hampshire, Hartford) at home.

Coming off a loss and heading into Patrick Gym, this will show a lot of what this team is made of.

This is also the first time this season where we have to wonder about Gerardo Suero. UAlbany's leading scorer struggled in the last game and he'll be needed to have a decent night for sure, if the Great Danes hope to win.

The Catamounts are playing much better. They are very balanced under first-year head coach John Becker, who was an assistant under departed coach Mike Lonergan.

Vermont has the reigning Rookie of the Year (Brian Voelkel) and a strong candidate for this season, in leading scorer Four McGlynn.

UALBANY AT VERMONT

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: Patrick Gymnasium (3,266), Burlington, Vt. .
Radio: WOFX 980-AM (Rodger Wyland, Zach Bye)
2011-12 Records: UAlbany (4-2, 12-8) Vermont (4-2, 10-10)
Last Meeting: Vermont 63, UAlbany 54, at SEFCU Arena, Albany, Jan. 29, 2011 — Vermont leads the all-time series 21-8

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
UALBANY

No.    Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Ppg.
10    Mike Black    G    Jr.    6-0    13.2
2    Logan Aronhalt    G    Jr.    6-3    16.0
20    Gerardo Suero    G    Jr.    6-4    21.6
11    Luke Devlin    F    So.    6-8    6.2
21    Blake Metcalf    C    Jr.    6-9    4.0

VERMONT

No.    Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Ppg.
12    Sandro Carissimo    G    So.    6-2    6.0
20    Brendan Bald    G    Jr.    6-5    8.1
23    Brian Voelkel    F    So.    6-6    5.1
34    Matt Glass    F    Sr.    6-8    10.6
42    Ben Crenca    F    Jr.    6-10    5.5

AMERICA EAST STANDINGS

School    Conference    Overall
Stony Brook    5-1    10-7
Boston U.    4-1    8-11
UAlbany    4-2    12-8
Vermont    4-2    10-10
Hartford    3-2    3-14
Maine    2-3    8-8
New Hampshire    1-4    6-10
UMBC    1-4    2-15
Binghamton    0-5    0-17

Today’s Schedule

UAlbany at Vermont    7 p.m.
Boston U. at New Hampshire    7 p.m.
Hartford at Maine    7 p.m.
Binghamton at UMBC    7 p.m.

VIDEOS: UAlbany preps for Vermont

2012-01-18T16:16:00.000-05:00

Sophomore Luke Devlin talks about the upcoming game against Vermont, and the team's most recent loss at Boston University.

Coach Will Brown talks about his decision to keep Gerardo Suero from talking to the media, which he went on to change his mind about.

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany at Boston U.

2012-01-16T10:36:00.001-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

The University at Albany hits the small screen tonight, when they travel to Boston, to takes on the Terriers.

Here is a link to the game advance that ran in Monday's paper.

The game will be televised on CBS College Sports. That can be seen on Time Warner channel 1878 (HD). It is also available on the Dish and Verizon, I'm just not sure what the channel is.

It should be a good game, as both teams have just one league loss.

The key for the Great Danes will be carrying their great play over to the road.

Boston University have a terrific scorer, in senior Darryl Partin. UAlbany did a good job on the last 20-point scorer they saw, Maine's Gerald McLemore.

Will Brown said his team likes to hear that they are playing for first place. Now, let's see if they go out and play like a first place club.

UALBANY AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Where: Agganis Arena, (7,200),Boston

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.

TV: CBS College Sports (DonCriqui, Wally Szczerbiak)

Radio: WOFX – 980-AM (RodgerWyland, Zach Bye)

Last Meeting: Boston U. 63,UAlbany 44, at Madison Square Garden, New York, on Feb. 10, 2011 –Boston U. leads the all-time series 14-8

Records: UAlbany (4-1, 12-7)Boston U. (3-1, 7-11)

Probable Starters

No, Player, Pos., Yr., Ht., Ppg

BOSTON U.

13, D. J. Irving, G, So., 6-0, 12.1

1, Darryl Partin, G, Sr., 6-6, 20.1

24, Travis Robinson, F, So., 6-5, 5.1

25, Patrick Hazel, F, Sr., 6-6, 7.2

15, Dom Morris, F, So., 6-7, 6.7

UALBANY

10, Mike Black, G, Jr., 6-0, 13.2

2, Logan Aronhalt, G, Jr., 6-2, 15.8

20, Gerardo Suero, G, Jr., 6-4, 22.4

11, Luke Devlin, F, So., 6-8, 6.5

21, Blake Metcalf, F, Jr., 6-9, 4.2

VIDEO: Last play UAlbany/Maine

2012-01-14T23:42:00.001-05:00

This is the final play of Saturday's game.

You decide if it's a foul on UAlbany's Mike Black or Maine's Gerald McLemore. None was called and the Great Danes hung on for a 76-75 victory.

UAlbany 76, Maine 75

2012-01-14T22:02:00.001-05:00

ALBANY - UAlbany and Maine played a terrific America East Conference basketball game on Saturday evening.

The Great Danes had just enough, surviving 76-75, to move into a first place tie with Stony Brook.

The Black Bears had the ball for the final 17.1 seconds, but couldn't get a shot, as Gerald McLemore fell down as time expired.

The victory moves UAlbany into a tie for first place, with Stony Brook, at 4-1.

Gerardo Suero scored a game-high 26 points for the Great Danes (4-1, 12-7), but was just 6-for-16 from the floor. Mike Black added 15 and Luke Devlin chipped in 13 points.

Justin Edwards led the Black Bears (2-2, 8-7) with 19 points, while McLemore added 17.

UAlbany takes on Boston University on Monday, in a game that can be seen on CBS College Sports, at 7 p.m.

UAlbany 38, Maine 37 (half)

2012-01-14T20:00:00.002-05:00

ALBANY - A very entertaining first half.

Both Maine and the University at Albany can score the ball and that was evident in the first 20 minutes.

The biggest lead was build early, as the Great Danes went up 13-4.

For the second part of the half, it was back and forth.

UAlbany was led by Gerardo Suero, who scored nine points. The Great Danes didn't have Logan Aronhalt for the later stages of the half, as he picked up his second foul. Luke Devlin chipped in seven points for UAlbany.

There were a lot of fouls called in the first half, 22 to be exact.

Maine big man Alasdair Fraser sat for nearly 13 minutes after picked up his third foul. I like Justin Edwards so far. He's shown he's very capable of scoring the ball, finishing the half with nine points. Senior Gerald McLemore lead the Black Bears with 10 points.

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany vs. Maine

2012-01-14T01:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

UAlbany gets its chance for a signature conference victory, early in the America East season.

The Great Danes have done what they've had to through the first four games, but with this being a home game and a team near the top of the standings, UAlbany has to take care of business.

The Great Danes are a perfect 6-0 at home and have been scoring the basketball in bunches since league play started.

Following Friday's practice, leading scorer Gerardo Suero talked at length about his continuing maturity as the defensive end of the floor.

“I’ve been playing hard on ‘D’ the whole week because I want to get better," he said. "I’m going to get used to it, so I won’t be tired.”

Suero was exhausted following Wednesday's game against New Hampshire, but says he feels better now.

Suero entered the day on Friday, the No. 4 scorer in the country and he's been to go-to guy for the Great Danes since his first game in a UAlbany jersey.

“There hasn’t been a player like him in this league, probably since I’ve been in the league, with the combination of size and slashing ability," said UAlbany coach Will Brown. "Jamar (Wilson) was tremendous, but this kid is just different. He’s just so big, long, quick, explosive, dynamic and he’s still learning.”

That's high praise from Brown because Wilson is the all-time leading scorer in school history and Brown has been coaching in the league for more than a decade.

Brown said Friday that he's been a little surprised in the consistency that Suero has provided this season, especially in his first year of Division I basketball.

“As much as he can be frustrating at times, he’s been a joy to work with and a joy to coach,” Brown said.

Here is the current standings in the America East.

School, Conference, Overall
Stony Brook, 4-0, 9-6
UAlbany, 3-1, 11-7
Vermont 3-1, 9-9
Maine, 2-1, 8-6
Boston U., 2-1, 6-11
Hartford, 1-2, 1-14
UMBC, 1-3, 2-14
New Hampshire, 0-3, 5-9
Binghamton, 0-4, 0-16

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena at Manhattan

2012-01-14T00:30:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

As Siena continued to pile up victories at home, they've climbed the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings.

The Saints enter Saturday's in a tie for fifth place and riding a three-game conference winning streak.

They'll have their hands full tonight, with a Manhattan team that just handed Iona its first conference loss of the year.

With a quick turnaround for both teams, I'd expect it will be a close game and the team that with the most energy will come out with a victory.

Junior forward OD Anosike entered Friday as the nation's leading rebounder and his streak of 12 consecutive double-doubles is the longest MAAC run since Fairfield's Darren Phillip ended the 1999-2000 season with 19 straight double-doubles.

SIENA AT MANHATTAN

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: Draddy Gym (2.500), Riverdale
Radio: TALK — AM 1300 (Robert Lee, Tom Huerter)
2011-12 Records: Siena (3-3, 8-8) Manhattan (4-2, 11-7)
Last Meeting: Siena 68, Manhattan 66, OT, at Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Conn., in MAAC Tournament, on March 5, 2011 — Manhattan leads the all-time series 46-36

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
SIENA

No, Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Ppg.
5, Evan Hymes, G, Fr., 5-8, 15.3
3, Kyle Downey, G, Sr., 6-2, 13.3
31, Owen Wignot, F, Sr., 6-6, 5.1
1, OD Anosike, F, Jr., 6-8, 14.7
0, Brandon Walters, C, Sr., 6-8, 6.1

MANHATTAN

No, Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Ppg.
31, Michael Alvarado, G, So., 6-2, 7.8
5, Mohamed Koita, G, Jr., 6-4, 2.2
24, George Beamon, G/F, Jr., 6-4, 16.7
13, Emmy Andujar, F, Fr., 6-5, 9.2
22, Roberto Colonette, F, Sr., 6-7, 6.1

MAAC STANDINGS

Team, Conference, Overall
Iona, 5-1, 13-4
Loyola (MD), 5-1, 12-4
Manhattan, 4-2, 11-7
Siena, 3-3, 8-8
Fairfield, 3-3, 8-9
Rider, 3-3, 6-12
Marist, 2-4, 7-10
Niagara, 2-4, 7-11
St. Peter’s, 2-4, 3-14
Canisius, 1-5, 4-12

Friday’s Games

Canisius 67, Marist 57
Niagara 85, St. Peter's 73
Loyola (MD) 66, Fairfield 63

Today’s Games

Siena at Manhattan, 7 p.m.

Brandon Walters pitching in for Saints

2012-01-13T00:52:00.000-05:00

Siena Athletics

ALBANY - There have been a few constants this season for Siena.

When the Saints play well, it's likely that senior Brandon Walters is doing the same.

Walters had a career night on Thursday, posting 14 points and 12 rebounds in the 83-79 victory over Rider.

Siena jumped all over Rider early and led by as many as 21 points in the first half.

“We just came out and played harder," Walters said."Our team chemistry has been very good and we're just trying to buildon that.”

Walters has averaged 7.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in Siena's eight victories. He has also posted his only three career double-doubles (Rider, UAlbany. Mount St. Mary's) in wins.

In the Saints eight losses, Walters is averaging just 4.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

“I've had an up and down season," he said. "Butthe coaching staff still has confidence in me.”

Walters bounced back from one of his worst games of the year, in the victory over Niagara, where he scored zero points and grabbed just two rebounds.

“OD (Anosike) played a pheonmenal game," Walters said of his frontcourt mate. "So ittook a lot of pressure off me.”

Walters and OD Anosike really give Siena a nice 1-2 punch down low, especially for a mid-major school.

Walters scored four of the Saints' final 11 points, running a fast break and putting back a miss and then calmly knocking down two free throws in the final moments, to help seal the victory.

Thursday's victory also got Siena back to .500 in both the MAAC (3-3) and overall (8-8).

“We've been trying to get to .500," Walters said. "Andwe did it tonight.”

Siena 83, Rider 79

2012-01-12T21:44:00.002-05:00

ALBANY - The Siena men's basketball team is back to .500

The Saints have won five of their past six games, maybe the best win coming Thursday evening, posting an 83-79 victory over Rider.

OD Anosike posted his 12th consecutive double-double, finishing with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Brandon Walters set a career-high in points (14) and matched a career-high in rebounds (12).

Siena (3-3, 8-8) also got 20 points from Evan Hymes.

The Saints led by 22 points, with 12 minuets to play, but the Broncs (3-3, 6-12) came storming back.

Rider was led by Jeff Jones, who scored 17 points off the bench. Jones was one of five Broncs in double figures.

The Broncs finished the game on a 19-9 run, after senior Kyle Downey fouled out for Siena.

The Saints head out on the road to take on Manhattan, on Saturday.

Siena 47, Rider 33 (half)

2012-01-12T19:52:00.000-05:00

ALBANY - Siena couldn't have played a much better first half than they did on Thursday evening.

The Saints led by as many as 21 points, going up 47-26 after a layup from Brandon Walters.

Rider finished the half on a 7-0 run, to get back into things.

The Saints were led by OD Anosike, who finished the first half with 15 points and eight rebounds. The junior is well on the way to a 12th consecutive double-double. Evan Hymes added 11.

The Saints have such a big lead, in part, because they are attacking the Broncs zone. Meanwhile, Rider has been very passive against Siena's zone.The Broncs are shooting 5-for-14 from beyond the arc.

Siena is outrebounding Rider big and already has 10 offensive rebounds. Brandon Walters is playing very well for the Saints,.

Rider was led in the first half by Novar Gadson, who has eight points.

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena vs. Rider

2012-01-12T01:16:00.000-05:00

Siena suddenly finds itself right in the middle of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings.

Six of the MAAC's 10 teams are either 3-2 or 2-3, after five league games and two of those teams meet tonight in downtown Albany.

It's a critical game, as both the Broncs and the Saints have been playing much better of late and one team will continue that with a win.

Here is a link to the game advance that appears in Thursday's print edition.

Below, junior forward OD Anosike talks about the game, before Wednesday's practice at the ARC.

Danes cruise despite "off" night from Suero

2012-01-11T23:07:00.002-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

ALBANY - Gerardo Suero hadn't scored less than 20 points in more than a month.

The University at Albany junior guard, who entered Wednesday's game fourth in the country in scoring (22.5 ppg), struggled by his standards, but the Great Danes still had a powerful offensive night, in the 86-63 victory over New Hampshire.

UAlbany was just 1-3, when Suero was held to less than 20 points coming into the game, but they got a very balanced effort on this night.

The last time Suero was held under 20, was in the 64-60 loss to Siena, back on Dec. 5.

Coach Will Brown had his guys practicing hard the past two days, coming off the loss to Stony Brook and Suero was visibly tired on the floor, with his hands on his knees, even in the first half.

He shot just 4-for-10 from the field in the first half and finished 6-for-17.

When Brown took him out of the game, in the waning minutes, he said to his star that he looked lethargic.

"I was exhausted from the past two days" was Suero's response.

Suero was the only UAlbany player who played more than 30 minutes --31 to be exact -- in part because his family was at the game. It's only the fifth game his mother, brother and sister -- all native of the Dominican Republic -- have been able to see this season.

"I kept him in there a little too long," Brown said.

If UAlbany can beat any team by 23 with Suero having an "off" night, watch out.

UAlbany 86, New Hampshire 63

2012-01-11T21:34:00.003-05:00

ALBANY - The University at Albany men's basketball team came out looking to avenge their first league loss of the season.

The Great Danes bounced back from the loss at Stony Brook, with a convincing 86-63 victory on Wednesday evening.

Mike Black led the way, scoring 17 points and grabbing a career-high nine rebounds. Logan Aronhalt added a game-high 21 points and Gerardo Suero finished with 17 points.

The Great Danes (3-1, 11-7) led by as many as 32 points, 59-27, in the second half.

The Wildcats (0-3, 5-9) made a couple of runs, but couldn't trim the lead to less than 17.

Patrick Konan led New Hampshire with 13 points, while Brian Benson added 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

UAlbany had 19 assists for the game, getting five from Ralph Watts and four apiece from Black and Suero.

The Great Danes are back in action on Saturday night, when they host Maine, at 7 p.m.

UAlbany 39, New Hampshire 20 (half)

2012-01-11T19:59:00.002-05:00

ALBANY - The University at Albany played a solid first half on Wednesday night and it looked even better thanks to a poor half by New Hampshire.

The Great Danes scored 15 of the the game's first 20 points, to quickly take a double-digit lead.

Gerardo Suero leads the way for UAlbany, with 11 points, but he didn't have his typical dominant half. He shot just 4-for-10 from the field.

The Great Danes were very balanced offensively, getting six points from Logan Aronhalt, Mike Black and Blake Metcalf. John Puk added five points for UAlbany. Black already has a career-high with seven rebounds and UAlbany leads on the glass, 27-15

New Hampshire shot just 6-for-24 (25%) from the field and Chris Matagrano led the Wildcats with six points off the bench.

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany vs. New Hampshire

2012-01-11T00:31:00.004-05:00

UAlbany's loss to Stony Brook on Sunday means the Great Danes won't run the table in America East Conference play.

However, the loss doesn't mark the end of the word for UAlbany, but they have to avoid any losing streaks, when they take on New Hampshire, on Wednesday evening, at SEFCU Arena.

Gerardo Suero was named America East player of the week, on Monday, for the fourth time this season. Suero entered Tuesday, the fourth highest scorer in the country, at 22.5 points per game.

New Hampshire is 1-5 on the road this season and the Wildcats have lost four of their past five games. Alvin Abreu, who missed all but two games last season, due to a knee injury, is the team's leading scorer.

Here are the standings in the America East.
Team, Conference, Overall
Stony Brook, 3-0, 8-6
Maine 2-0, 8-5
UAlbany, 2-1, 10-7
Vermont, 2-1, 8-9
Boston U., 1-1, 5-11
UMBC, 1-2, 2-12
Hartford, 1-2, 1-14
New Hampshire, 0-2, 5-8
Binghamton, 0-3, 0-15

O.D. Anosike wants in to Team Rebound Supreme

2012-01-08T17:38:00.000-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

ALBANY - OD Anosike broke a school record of a former teammate on Sunday.

He's hoping that will gain him entrance into an exclusive club - Team Rebound Supreme.

The brainchild of Alex Franklin and Ryan Rossiter, whose record of 10 straight double-doubles, was snapped by Anosike on Sunday, Team Rebound Supreme began during the 2009-10 season. Franklin and Rossiter started as a friendly competition to see who would grab more rebounds.

Anosike wants in.

“I've been trying to get in for awhile now,” said Anosike, following Siena's 72-60 victory over Niagara in downtown Albany.

After acknowledging that his acceptance was up to Franklin and Rossiter -- two of the top rebounders ever to play for the Saints -- Anosike fired off some friendly shots to his former teammates.

First he this to say about snapping Rossiter's school record for consecutive double-doubles.

“I'm sure Ryan is feeling a littlebitter over in France, about me breaking his record.”

Then, he had this to say about Franklin.

“I think Alex doesn'trealize that I average more rebounds than he did. In some ways, Iwant to kick him out of Team Rebound Supreme.”

In the end, there may still only be two members of Team Rebound Supreme, but Anosike is currently the nation's leading rebounder, at 12.4 rebounds per game.

“Obviously, he is an outstandingplayer," said Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro. "We have geared a lot of our stuff around him.”

Siena 72, Niagara 60

2012-01-08T16:06:00.003-05:00

ALBANY - The Siena Saints are rolling.

The Saints picked up their second straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory, defeating Niagara 72-60, on Sunday afternoon.

OD Anosike scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, posting a school-record 11th straight double-double.

Kyle Downey added 18 points and Evan Hymes finished with 13 for the Saints (2-3, 7-8).

Antoine Mason scored a team-high 15 points for the Purple Eagles (1-4, 6-11).

Siena pulled away at the end, taking the lead for good, when Anosike scored to put the Saints up 44-42.

Siena is off until Thursday, when the host Rider.

Siena 31, Niagara 28 (half)

2012-01-08T13:58:00.000-05:00

ALBANY - Siena started slow, very slow, but they have the lead at halftime.

The Saints opened the game shooting 1-for-7 from the field, but finished the first half strong.

The Purple Eagles jumped out to a double-digit lead, 18-8, after the first 10 minutes.

Siena had a difficult time getting good looks against Niagara zones, but eventually they starting hitting some shots.

The Saints shot just 4-for-14 from beyond the arc, but they hit some big ones, especially two by Kyle Downey, off inbounds plays.

OD Anosike is comfortably on the way to his 11th consecutive double-double, posting 12 points and seven rebounds in the first half.

Antoine Mason, son of former New York Knicks forward Anthony Mason, leads Niagara with eight points.

The fact that Siena leads, despite leading scorer Evan Hymes having just two points, is a good sign.

In case you haven't heard or seen, Siena is not showing the New York Giants NFC Wild Card game, due to an NFL decision.

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena vs. Niagara

2012-01-08T10:49:00.001-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

Siena looks to turn one conference win into two on Sunday,

They will be playing underneath the New York Giants NFL Wild Card game, so to speak. The arena will broadcast the game on the video scoreboard, while the Siena game is going on.

The Saints starters lead the country in minutes played, but Niagara freshman Juan'ya Green plays the most minutes of any freshman, 37.1 per game.

Former New York Knicks forward Anthony Mason's son, Antoine, is the second leading scorer for the Purple Eagles. Mason is a red-shirt freshman, who had three big games last season and then was sidelined for the season, with a foot injury.

The Saints look to be the favorite, on paper, but very little has gone true to form this season for Siena.

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany at Stony Brook

2012-01-08T10:36:00.001-05:00

This is a battle to go to 3-0 in the America East and should be a good game, down on Long Island.

UAlbany's offense will be tested today by a tough and tall front line for Stony Brook.

The Great Danes are coming off of back-to-back season-high scoring efforts, in their two conference games. They scored 88 points against Hartford and bounced back with 89 points against UMBC.

If UAlbany scores 80+ points again, I think they will be in good shape.

Gerardo Suero was just named Mid-Major player of the week, by NBAdraft.net. Suero is fourth in the country in scoring, averaging 22.1 points per game.

Siena 73, Fairfield 60

2012-01-06T21:46:00.001-05:00

ALBANY - What a difference three days makes.

Siena was thumped just a few days ago, against Iona. On Friday, the Saints turned around and played their best conference game of the year, handing Fairfield its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference loss of the season, 73-60.

Five Siena (1-3, 6-8) players scored in double figures, with senior Kyle Downey leading the way with 19 points.

Fairfield (3-1, 8-7) was led by guard Desmond Wade, who finished with a game-high 27 points and finished with seven 3-pointers.

The Saints shot 63 percent (26-41) from the field and 61 percent (8-13) from beyond the arc.

Siena plays Niagara on Sunday, in Albany, at 1 p.m.

Siena 32, Fairfield 30 (half)

2012-01-06T20:00:00.000-05:00

ALBANY - Siena is playing much better than they did on Tuesday evening. If they keep it up, they might be able to hand Fairfield its first conference loss of the season.

Kyle Downey scored a team-high 12 points for the Saints, who shot 6-for-9 from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes and 62 percent (13-21) from the field.

Brandon Walters and Rob Poole each added six points in the first half for Siena.

Farifield made eight 3-pointers in the first half, while making only two 2-point field goals.

Desmond Wade lead the Stags with 16 points and he hit four of Fairfield's eight 3-pointers.

Both Rakim Sanders and Derek Needham were held scoreless in the first half.

MAAC GAMEDAY: Siena vs. Fairfield

2012-01-06T00:30:00.000-05:00

Siena senior Kyle Downey used the words bottom of the barrel, before Thursday's practice.

The Saints are in last, thanks to a Canisius loss on Thursday evening, but they are alone with the Griffs as the only Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference teams still without a win.

They'll get another crack at it tonight, when they host Fairfield.

If the Saints lose, it'll only be the second time in school history that Siena started the MAAC season at 0-4, since joining the league in 1989-90 season.

The schedule makers were not kind to Siena this season, as the Saints have played the top 3 team from the preseason poll, in the first four games.

If Siena doesn't win tonight, Sunday's game against Niagara will almost be a must-win, in hopes of avoiding what would be an 0-5 start to the league season.

FAIRFIELD AT SIENA

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: Times Union Center (8,444), Albany
TV: Time Warner-3 (Robert Lee, Tom Huerter, Marisa Jacques)
Radio: TALK 1300-AM (Andrew Catalon, Andy Grazulis)
2011-12 Records: Fairfield (3-0, 8-6) Siena (0-3, 5-8)
Last Meeting: Fairfield 68, Siena 55 at Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Conn., on Feb. 25, 2011 — Siena leads the all-time series 30-25

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
FAIRFIELD

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Ppg.
11, Desmond Wade, G, Jr., 5-8, 3.6
3, Derek Needham, G, Jr., 5-11, 12.1
21, Rakim Sanders, G/F, Sr., 6-5, 16.9
15, Maurice Barrow, F, So., 6-5, 9.0
34, Ryan Olander, C, Sr., 7-0, 11.4

SIENA

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Ppg.
5, Evan Hymes, G, Fr., 5-8, 15.5
3, Kyle Downey, G, Sr., 6-2, 12.7
31, Owen Wignot, F, Sr., 6-6, 4.0
1, OD Anosike, F, Jr., 6-8, 13.2
0, Brandon Walters, C, Sr., 6-8, 6.0

MAAC STANDINGS

Team, Conference, Overall
Iona 3-0, 11-3
Fairfield, 3-0, 8-6
Loyola (Md), 3-1, 10-4
Marist, 2-1, 7-7
Manhattan, 2-2, 9-7
St. Peter’s, 2-2, 3-12
Niagara, 1-2, 6-9
Rider, 1-2, 4-11
Siena, 0-3, 5-8
Canisius, 0-4, 3-11

Thursday’s Scores

St. Peter’s 65, Canisius 61
Loyola (Md.) 61, Manhattan 60

Today’s Schedule

Fairfield at Siena, 7 p.m.
Marist at Rider, 7 p.m.
Niagara at Iona (ESPNU), 9 p.m.

UAlbany offense erupts in 89-72 win over UMBC

2012-01-05T21:44:00.001-05:00

BALTIMORE, Md. — The University at Albany men’s basketball team has shown the ability to score the ball this season.

For the second straight game, the Great Danes set a season-high in points, defeating the University of Maryland-Baltimore Country 89-72 on Thursday evening.

The victory puts UAlbany (10-6) at 2-0 in America East Conference play for the first time since the 2005-06 season, when the team earned their first trip to the NCAA tournament.

“This was a big one to get,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown. “I’m proud of our guys.”

The Great Danes, won their 10th game last year on Jan. 20, when they were 10-12 overall.

“We just did a good job overall,” Brown said. “A lot of guys contributed.”

Leading the way, as has been for most of the year, was the trio of Logan Aronhalt, Gerardo Suero and Mike Black.

The three juniors all scored 22 points to lead the Great Danes offense.

Early in the game, though, it didn’t look good.

UMBC (1-1, 2-12) jumped out to a 10-0 lead through the first five minutes.

“When it rains, it pours,” Brown said. “They were coming off a big win versus New Hampshire.”

UAlbany quickly turned things around though and after falling behind by 14, 23-9, ended the half on a 42-17 run to take a 51-40 lead into the break.

The Great Danes did a lot of their damage at the free throw line, finishing 30-for-40 (75%) from the stripe.

“We’re at our best when we’re attacking the basket,” Brown said.

Chase Plummer scored a game-high 25 points for the Retrievers.

“Plummer’s good,” Brown said. “He shot the lights out tonight.”

Luke Devlin added 10 points for the Great Danes, which improved to 8-1, when they score more than 75 points this season.

“We can score,” Brown said. “Especially, when we share the basketball.”

UAlbany travels to Stony Brook on Sunday, in what will be an early season matchup of the only 2-0 teams in the league.

“We have a big one on Sunday, against Stony Brook,” Brown said.

College Hoops Chat - Jan. 5

2012-01-05T18:24:00.000-05:00

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=3b584ca93b" >College Hoops Chat - Jan. 5</a>

Siena's Rakeem Brookins back on the court

2012-01-05T15:13:00.001-05:00

J.S. Carras/The Record

LOUDONVILLE - For all of the bad news Siena fans have received this season, it's possible the new year has brought something positive the Saints' way.

Sophomore Rakeem Brookins was back on the practice floor on Thursday, not ready for live action, but dribbling and shooting.

"It's definitely a step in the right direction," said Brookins, who averaged 9.0 points and 4.3 assists per game last season, as a freshman. "I'm happy to be back and anxious to be playing, but the coaches are babysitting me a lot. I just have to take it one step at a time."

Brookins traveled with the team down to New York, for Tuesday's game against Iona.

"It's great that we have him back, supporting the team," said Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro.

Brookins hopes to be back practicing with the squad, at some point at during the second semester.

"I hope so," he said. "I believe I'll be able to practice with these guys."

Brookins spent much of his time back home, trying to stay busy. He would go watch his friend, Maalik Wayns, play for Villanova or go watch former Siena guard Jonathan Breeden, playing for Division II West Chester, where Brookins' cousin goes to school. .

"It was just different back home," Brookins said.

He still has some therapy sessions to finish and had been rehabbing twice a week at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, but it's been a long road so far.

"It's been frustrating me a lot, especially in the beginning," Brookins said. "It was hard for me. I was watching the guys play and I wanted to be on the court with them so bad."

Brookins did have positive words for the guy who has been filling his spot on the squad, freshman Evan Hymes.

"Hymes is doing a great job and I'm proud of him."

Brookins is eager to return to action, so that he and Hymes can combine for a speedy backcourt.

"It's going to be a very quick and interesting backcourt and I can't wait," he said

AE GAMEDAY: UAlbany at UMBC

2012-01-05T00:02:00.000-05:00

Jeff Couch/The Record

This game got much more interesting at approximately 9:25 p.m., on Monday evening.

Every person in the room asked or wondered out loud about the UMBC/New Hampshire score.

Once it was confirmed that the Retrievers had won, doubling their win total in the process, it was clear that the UAlbany players were a little more focused on their next league task.

The Great Danes will be playing to go to 2-0 in conference play, for the first time in six years, when the team started America East play 5-1 and went on to play in the program's first NCAA tournament.

Needless to say this is a big game, even though it's against a 2-11 team.

UALBANY AT UMBC

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: Retriever Activities Center (3,284), Baltimore, Md.
2011 Records: UAlbany (1-0, 9-6) UMBC (1-0, 2-11)
Last Meeting: UAlbany 83, UMBC 67, on Feb. 23, 2011, at SEFCU Arena, Albany - UAlbany leads the all-time series 12-6

PROBABLE STARTERS

UALBANY

No., Name, Pos., Yr., Ht., Ppg.
10, Mike Black, G, Jr., 6-0, 12.1
2, Logan Aronhalt, G, Jr., 6-3, 15.1
20 Gerardo Suero, G, Jr., 6-4, 22.1
11, Luke Devlin, F, So., 6-8, 6-5
21, Blake Metcalf, C, Jr., 6-9, 4.2

UMBC

3, Quentin Jones, G, So., 6-0, 5.5
12, Ryan Cook, G, Jr., 6-2, 13.0
15, Brian Neller, G, Jr., 6-4, 12.7
1, Chase Plummer, F, So., 6-6, 13.6
34, Jake Wasco, F, Sr., 6-8, 3.8

AMERICA EAST STANDINGS

Team, Conference, Overall
UAlbany, 1-0, 9-6
Maine, 1-0, 7-5
Stony Brook, 1-0, 6-6
UMBC 1-1, 2-11
Boston U., 0-0, 4-10
New Hampshire, 0-1, 5-7
Vermont, 0-1, 6-9
Binghamton, 0-1, 0-13
Hartford, 0-1, 0-13

Today's Schedule

UAlbany at UMBC, 7 p.m.
Boston U. at Vermont, 7 p.m.
New Hampshire at Hartford, 7 p.m.
Stony Brook at Binghamton, 7 p.m.

Iona lowers the boom, defeats Siena 95-59

2012-01-03T23:39:00.003-05:00

NEW YORK — The Siena men’s basketball team played at Madison Square Garden for the first time in 11 years on Tuesday evening.

They may never want to go back.

Iona sophomore guard Sean Armand set a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference record by knocking down 10 3-pointers and the Gaels posted an impressive 95-59 victory.

Iona (3-0, 11-3) finished with 17 treys on the night, shooting 43.6% (17-39) from long distance.

Siena (0-3, 5-8) could never match the offensive firepower, shooting just 36 percent (23-63) from the field and making only four 3-pointers.

It’s the Saints worst loss since four years to the day, when they fell on the road to No. 2 Memphis, 102-58.

The loss leaves Siena at 0-3 in MAAC play for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

The Saints were led by freshman point guard Evan Hymes, who finished with a team-high 22 points.

Armand totaled 32 points for the Gaels, leading for Iona players in double figures. Jermel Jenkins added 16 points, while Lamont “Momo” Jones finished with 14 points.

Armand, who scored Iona’s final 20 points of the first half, hit the record-breaking 3-pointer midway through the second half.

Armand broke the Gaels school record, which was set last season, when Kyle Smyth hit eight 3-pointers against UAlbany, at SEFCU Arena.

The Brooklyn native finished 10-for-19 from beyond the arc and bested his previous career-highs in points (22) and 3-pointers (six).

The Gales led by as many as 39, taking an 89-50 lead, when Jones knocked down a 3-pointer.

O.D. Anosike posted his ninth consecutive double-double, finished with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, on his 21st birthday.

Iona senior guard Scott Machado, who leads the country in assists per game, finished with nine points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

This game marked the second straight beating handed out by the Gaels. Iona ended Siena’s three-year MAAC championship run, with a 94-64 win in last season’s conference quarterfinals.

Siena returns to the floor on Friday, when they host Fairfield, at 7 p.m.

GAMEDAY: Siena vs. Iona at MSG

2012-01-03T01:15:00.003-05:00

Siena and Iona meet with a lot on the line on Tuesday evening.

The two teams will also be playing in arguably the world's most famous arena -- Madison Square Garden.

The Gaels (2-0, 10-3) have one of the top offenses in the country, while the Saints (0-2, 5-7) have played very stingy defense through the 12 games.

Siena has won its last two games, but they are still in search of the first conference victory of the season.

For Siena to win, the Saints will likely have to play their best game of the season and still that might not be enough.

UAlbany designing a floor plan for victory

2012-01-03T00:22:00.001-05:00

ALBANY - John Gallagher has a very difficult job ahead of him.

The Hartford head coach is playing seven freshmen on a team that's 0-13, but he doesn't lack charisma and energy.

The Hawks coach made the analogy that his team is still fixing the plumbing, i.e. laying the groundwork, to be successful, while UAlbany is shopping for luxury items.

“The water's not running in our houseyet," Gallagher said. "They've got the bath towels, the nice pictures and the interiordesigner over.”

The Great Danes played a solid game on Monday evening, in the 88-63 victory. They posted a season-high in points scored and had four players in double figures.

“We defended our home court and youhave to do that,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown.

But what if the Great Danes didn't play their best on this night.

Luke Devlin was solid and John Puk (career-high 11 rebounds) played his best game of the year, but can UAlbany still get better?

Sure.

And that might be scary for America East Conference opponents.

Brown was quick to point out that his team shot 5-for-21 from beyond the arc and committed 17 turnovers, two stats not usually indicative of a team that won.

With talented offensive players and a player like Gerardo Suero, who seemingly scores 20 points every game, UAlbany has the ingredients to outscore its opponent on a nightly basis.

“They have weapons that score thebasketball,” Gallagher said.

If the Great Danes can get everything going, they really will be a difficult team to handle for any of the other eight America East teams.

UAlbany 88, Hartford 63

2012-01-02T22:01:00.001-05:00

ALBANY - If this was a preview of things to come, then the University at Albany basketball team could be in for a good conference season.

The Great Danes scored a season-high 88 points in taking down Hartford, 88-63, in the America East Conference opener for both schools.

Gerardo Suero led the way with a game-high 24 points, while Logan Aronhalt added 17 points for UAlbany (1-0, 9-6).

The Great Danes led by double digits for the entire second half, with their biggest lead coming in the late stages of 26 points.

Mike Black (15) and Luke Devlin (10) were also in double figures for UAlbany, while John Puk finished with seven points and 11 rebounds.

Andres Torres scored a team-high 13 points for Hartford (0-1, 0-13), which remains one of six winless teams in the country.

The Great Danes are back in action on Thursday, when they travel to face the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

UAlbany 40, Hartford 28 (half)

2012-01-02T19:50:00.000-05:00

ALBANY - The University at Albany men 's basketball team has made a habit of outscoring its opponents this season.

That's just what they did in the first half of their first America East Conference game.

The Great Danes put up 40 points, getting 11 apiece from Gerardo Suero and Mike Black.

UAlbany built its lead as big as 17, going up 31-14 when Luke Devlin made a steal and raced the entire floor for a one-handed slam dunk.

Hartford was led in the first half by Wes Cole, who scored nine points.

If the Great Danes keep it up in the second half, they will move to 1-0 in the conference.

GAMEDAY: UAlbany vs. Hartford

2012-01-02T00:30:00.000-05:00

Jeff Couch/The Record

UAlbany kicks off 2012 and the America East Conference season on Monday, when they host Hartford at SEFCU Arena.

I know the Great Danes are anxious to get league play underway and it will certainly start to shed some light on how UAlbany will stack up.

Here are the four matchups for the opening day of conference play.

Hartford (0-12) at UAlbany (8-6)
Vermont (6-8) at Stony Brook (5-6)
UMBC (1-11) at New Hampshire (5-6)
Maine (6-5) at Binghamton (0-12)

UAlbany was picked fourth in the preseason poll and from what I've seen so far, the Great Danes should certainly figure into the top few spots of the league.

GAMEDAY: UAlbany at Mount St. Mary's

2011-12-31T02:00:00.000-05:00

The University at Albany Great Danes take to the floor one last time in 2011, trying to pick up their eighth non-conference victory of the season.

Here is a game capsule.

UALBANY AT MOUNT ST. MARY’S

When: Today, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Knott Arena, Emmitsburg, Md.
Radio: WOFX 980-AM (Zach Bye)
2011-12 Records: UAlbany 7-6. Mount St. Mary’s 2-10.
Last Meeting: UAlbany 77, Mount St. Mary’s 57, at SEFCU Arena, Albany on Dec. 18, 2010 —
UAlbany leads all-time series 1-0

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
UALBANY

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Ppg.
10    Mike Black    G    Jr.    6-0    12.3
2    Logan Aronhalt    G    Jr.    6-3    15.0
20    Gerardo Suero    G    Jr.    6-4    21.5
11    Luke Devlin    F    So.    6-8    5.8
21    Blake Metcalf    C    Jr.    6-9    4.4

MOUNT ST. MARY’S

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Ppg.
12    Josh Castellanos    G    So.    6-0    7.8
23    Julian Norfleet    G    So.    6-2    10.8
21    Kelvin Parker    G    Fr.    6-3    7.1
42    Danny Thompson    F    Sr.    6-7    7.3
13    Kristijan Krajina    F    So.    6-9    4.3

Top 10 Siena & UAlbany moments of 2011

2011-12-29T22:31:00.000-05:00

As we do when all years come to an end, we look back at the best performances and try to figure out what was the best.

I've covered Siena and UAlbany basketball for five seasons and put together what I think are the Top 10 moments of 2011.

See what you think...and let me know if I'm wrong (I'm not).

10. EVAN HYMES SCORES 30 (Nov. 19)
Siena point guard Evan Hymes has burst onto the scene this season. In just his second game, the diminutive point guard, who is starting because of a season-ending injury to Rakeem Brookins, went off. Hymes scored 30 points in a 65-53 victory that started the Siena 2011-12 season with back-to-back victories. Hymes was 9-for-17 from the floor and 9-for-14 from the free throw line.

9. MIKE BLACK DROPS CAREER-HIGH 26 ON MAINE (Feb. 27)
UAlbany's point guard is known more for distrubuting, but in the season finale last year Black torched Maine for a career-high 26 points in a 81-77 overtime victory. Black hit five 3-pointers, but also finished with five assists in the win, while playing 40 of the 45 minutes in the game.

8. CLARENCE JACKSON COMES OFF BENCH TO LIGHT UP MARIST (Jan. 14)
Clarence Jackson dealt with a long list of injuries during his senior season, but on this night he put the setbacks behind him and gave a clutch performance. Jackson finished with 19 points and hit five 3-pointers at the McCann Center as Siena took down rival Marist 66-59. Jackson finished 5-for-7 from beyond the arc.

7. UALBANY CLOBBERS BINGHAMTON 76-37 (Jan. 20)
The Great Danes and Bearcats have a good rivalry, both being SUNY schools. On this night, UAlbany let their state rivals have it, setting new Division I win margin, winning by 39, 76-37, over Binghamton. Mike Black led four Great Danes in double figures with 15 points. The Bearcats made just 12 field goals and shot 21 percent (12-57) from the floor.

6. ARONHALT & AMBROSE GO 20-20 on UMBC (Jan. 26)

Logan Aronhalt really burst onto the scene last season, overcoming a lot of injuries to have a breakthrough campaign. In this game, Aronhalt lit up University of Maryland-Baltimore Country for 28 points, while senior Tim Ambrose finished with 25 points in the 66-63 victory, down in Baltimore. Aronhalt and Ambrose combined to shoot 19-for-35 (54.3%) from the field in the game.

5. UALBANY TAKES TALENTS TO MADISON SQUARE GARDEN (Feb. 11)

While this game wasn't a victory for the Great Danes, the UAlbany players got the thrill of a lifetime, as the team took the floor to play at the world's most famous arena. Boston University picked up the 63-44 win, but it's a moment that the Great Danes and Terriers both will remember forever. Tim Ambrose led the way for UAlbany with 13 points.

4. RYAN ROSSITER BECOMES SIENA'S TOP REBOUNDER (Feb. 7)

Ryan Rossiter broke a lot of records and had a terrific senior season for Siena. On this night, Rossiter only put up 23 points and 20 rebounds in a 76-69 loss to Loyola (Md.). In the process, Rossiter became the Saints all-time leading rebounder, passing Lee Matthews ('93). Rossiter, who ended his career with 1,151 boards, finished with nine offensive rebounds on this night.

3. GERARDO SUERO DROPS 31 ON SYRACUSE (Nov. 15)

Gerardo Suero really burst onto the scene this season, proving that he is one of the top newcomers in the America East and possibly the country. UAlbany lost on this night to Syracuse, 98-74, but Suero scored a game-high 31 points against the Orange's vaunted zone defense. Suero was 9-for-16 from the floor and 11-for-12 from the free throw line, in just his third game for the Great Danes.

2. O.D. ANOSIKE LETS HIS PLAY DO THE TALKING (Dec. 5)

Siena junior center O.D. Anosike caught the attention of nearly everyone in the Captial District when he said he thought Siena was still the favorite, heading into the Albany Cup matchup. Anosike backed it up, scoring 21 points and grabbing 18 rebounds as the Saints regained the bragging rights with a 64-60 victory. Following the game, Coach Mitch Buonaguro said he hoped Anosike would tweet less, while Anosike who hadn't tweeted the original statement, was just happy with the victory.

1. RYAN ROSSITER GIVES HOMETOWN CROWD ONE LAST THRILL (Feb. 27)

Ryan Rossiter gave the hometown Albany crowd one more thing to cheer about, in the final home game of his career. Rossiter finished with a career-high 34 points and 11 rebounds in a 81-73 victory over Marist. There's not much more you can say about Rossiter, as a week later, he was honored with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year award.

Honorable Mention:

Ryan Rossiter 26 pts. 15 reb. invictory over Iona – Jan. 3 (Siena 1,000^th win)
Siena's Jonathan Breeden scores 24 pts vs. Iona in loss –Feb. 11
UAlbany's Jayson Guerrier 28 pts, 10 reb. vs. Monmouth –Nov. 21
Gerardo Suero 29 pts. vs. Colgate – Dec. 7
Ambrose 15 pts 14 reb. 52-50 @ Stony(3^rd double-double, career-high rebounds) - Jan. 17
Luke Devlin 11 pts & 11 reb. In victoryover Hartford – Feb. 5
Ambrose 22 pts in victory over Stony(past 1,500 career pts) – Feb. 14

College Hoops Chat - Dec. 29

2011-12-29T12:15:00.000-05:00

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=dfe70a42f5" >College Hoops Chat - Dec. 29</a>

Maryland outlasts UAlbany, 83-72

2011-12-28T23:13:00.003-05:00

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Alex Len played the first collegiate game of his career on Wednesday evening.

The University of Maryland freshman sat out the first 10 games, due to a NCAA suspension.

The University at Albany men’s basketball team wished he sat out 11.

Len finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in 27 minutes, as Maryland had just enough offense to defeat UAlbany, 83-72, at the Comcast Center.

“Alex Len couldn’t have sat one more game?” said UAlbany coach Will Brown.

The Great Danes (7-6) hung tough, even taking a second-half lead on a basket from Gerardo Suero.

The game went back and forth in the early stages of the second half, but in the end, the Terrapins (8-3) pulled away, using a big run to gain a double-digit lead.

Suero matched for game-high honors with 22 points, while Luke Devlin added 16 points for UAlbany.

“I’m glad that Luke stepped up, took some shots and knocked them down,” Brown said.

Suero also had eight assists and seven rebounds, in 36 minutes of action.

Terrell Stoglin, the Atlantic Coast Conference’s leading scorer, finished with 22 points for Maryland.

Len, the 7-foot-1 Ukrainian big man, was a force offensively and is projected to be a very good player.

“I think we would have won this game is Len didn’t play,” Brown said.

Logan Aronhalt and Mike Black each chipped in 13 points for the Great Danes.

“I’m proud of our guys’ effort,” Brown said. “I thought we really buckled down and did some good things.”

UAlbany is now 0-5 all-time against the ACC.

The Great Danes remain in the nation’s capital, as they will take on Mount St. Mary’s for a New Year’s Eve matinee, at 3:30 p.m., on Saturday.

VIDEOS: Siena/Florida Atlantic postgame

2011-12-28T22:32:00.001-05:00

Postgame reaction from Siena's 67-60 victory over Florida Atlantic on Wednesday, courtesy of the Siena Athletic Department, who was on scene in Boca Raton.

Siena takes down Florida Atlantic, 67-60

2011-12-28T21:47:00.003-05:00

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Siena men’s basketball team closed out 2011 on a solid note, on Wednesday evening.

The Saints stepped up their defense in the second half and that carried them to a 67-60 victory over Florida Atlantic.

Siena (5-7) finished the calendar year on a two-game winning streak and did so, by holding the Owls (4-9) to just 21 points in the second half.

Junior O.D. Anosike posted his eighth consecutive double-double, finishing with a game-high 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Kyle Downey and Evan Hymes each played the entire 40 minutes for the second straight game, finishing with 14 points apiece.

Also for the second straight game, Siena played just six players.

“I just think everybody on the team has the will to win," Hymes said. “Even though we're (short-handed), everything that’s happened to us this year with all the injuries, we just persevere. We came through and we played tough in this game.”

Downey hit a shot, midway through the second half, to give the Saints the lead for good.

Florida Atlantic scored only eight points in the game’s final 11 minutes.

Rob Poole hit some big shots late for the Saints, matching a career-high with 11 points off the bench.

The Owls, who were picked to finish first in the Sun Belt East Division in preseason, were led by Greg Gantt’s 16 points.

Florida Atlantic shot 8-for-20 from beyond the arc in the first half, but finished 0-for-11 after intermission.

Siena shot 58 percent (15-26) from the field in the first half, but trailed 39-36.

The Saints got big 3-pointers from Downey and Owen Wignot to bolster an early 9-0 run to get Siena in front.

Siena, which has won three of its past five games, takes on conference rival Iona, at Madison Square Garden, on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

GAMEDAY: UAlbany at Maryland

2011-12-28T01:30:00.000-05:00

Jeff Couch/The Record

The University at Albany has a huge road test on Wednesday evening.

The Great Danes will take on the Terrapins of the University of Maryland.

The Terrapins aren't one of the top teams in the ACC, picked ninth in the preseason poll. Despite that, Maryland has some very talented players and certainly are the favorite.

The Great Danes have won five of their last seven games and are playing good basketball right now.

Here are some links to read up on Maryland.The big news clearly is the eligibility of 7-foot-1 freshman Alex Len.

Terps excited to get 7-foot-1 freshman Len into the mix - Baltimore Sun

With addition of Alex Len, Maryland basketball continues to tinker with lineup - Washington Post

Terps finally to play with full deck - Washington Examiner

GAMEDAY: Siena at Florida Atlantic

2011-12-28T00:45:00.000-05:00

Jeff Couch/The Record

The Siena men's basketball team resumes play on Wednesday, when they take on the Owls of Florida Atlantic.

The Owls are coached by Mike Jarvis, who made his name St. John's, Boston University and George Washington.

Florida Atlantic has nearly all five starters in double figures, yet still is struggling to string together some victories.

In last year's game, Siena got 27 points from Ryan Rossiter and 20 from Clarence Jackson to defeat Florida Atlantic 72-69.

FAU, Siena both feature pint-sized point guards - Sun Sentine l

Below is a capsule for the game.

SIENA AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
Where: FAU Arena, Boca Raton, Fla.
Radio: Talk 1300-AM (Robert Lee, Tom Huerter)
2011-12 Records: Siena 4-7. Florida Atlantic 4-8.
Last Meeting: Siena 72, Florida Atlantic 69, Dec. 13, 2010 at Times Union Center, Albany — Siena leads all-time series 1-0

PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
SIENA

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Ppg.
5    Evan Hymes    G    Fr.    5-8    15.0
3    Kyle Downey    G    Sr.    6-2    12.9
31    Owen Wignot    F    Sr.    6-6    3.5
1    O.D. Anosike    F    Jr.    6-8    13.0
0    Brandon Walters    C    Sr.    6-8    6.2

FLORIDA ATLANTIC

No./Name    Pos.    Yr.    Ht.    Ppg.
2    Raymond Taylor    G    Jr.    5-6    9.8
22    Greg Gantt    G    Jr.    6-2    12.9
25    Pablo Bertone    G    So.    6-3    10.0
31    Omari Grier    G    Fr.    6-3    10.8
52    Kore White    F    Jr.    6-8    10.0

VIDEO: UAlbany/Dartmouth postgame

2011-12-23T18:32:00.001-05:00

University at Albany coach Will Brown talks about his team's victory over Dartmouth on Friday afternoon.

UAlbany 82, Dartmouth 74

2011-12-23T16:41:00.000-05:00

ALBANY - The University at Albany men's basketball team got the lead and they held on to it.

Dartmouth did cut the lead to eight in the second half, but I think UAlbany coach Will Brown will be happy with a solid 82-74 victory on Friday afternoon.

Gerardo Suero led the way for the Great Danes (7-5), scoring 23 points, but it was a pretty balanced scored attack. Mike Black added 20 points, Logan Aronhalt finished with 15 and Luke Devlin poured in 11.

UAlbany made 10 3-pointers and finished 48 percent (26-54) from the field.

The Big Green (3-10) was led by Jabrai Trotter, who finished with 22 points.

The Great Danes will enjoy a couple days off, before heading south, to take on Maryland on Wednesday, Dec. 28.