Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
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January 30, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
ALBAN
UALBANY PLACES 60 STUDENT-ATHLETES ON AMERICA EAST ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL
Cambridge, Mass. — The University at Albany had 60 student-athletes named to the 2007 America
East Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll, as announced by the conference office on Thursday
afternoon. Students had to earn grade point averages of 3.0 or above for the fall semester to receive
this recognition. Students earning a 3.5 GPA or better were named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll.
America East honored 614 fall student-athletes from around the conference.
The UAlbany men’s soccer team featured the highest number of honorees for the Great
Danes, with 17 student-athletes earning recognition. Mikael McNamara, Michael Dineen and Sander
Anker also earned Commissioner's Honor Roll accolades.
The UAlbany field hockey team had nine members recognized, with all nine student-athletes
earning the top academic honor with over a 3.5 GPA. All-conference honorees Ashley Ross and
Anouk Vandenburg highlighted the award recipients.
Women’s soccer had 11 student-athletes recognized, with six being named to the
Commissioner's Honor Roll, while women’s cross country had eight selections, three earning
commissioner's distinction. The defending conference champion volleyball squad had seven players
named to the honor roll, with four posting over a 3.5 GPA. Men’s cross country also had eight
student-athletes on the list, including ECAC Champion Ricardo Estremera.
Vermont had the most honor roll members, with 91 student-athletes earning the award. New
@ msn and Stony Brook followed with 89 and 83 honorees, respectively. Maine had 77 honor roll
award winners, including the most Commissioner's Honor Roll members with 48. Binghamton (66),
Hartford (51), Boston U. (48) and UMBC (33) rounded out the nine member schools.
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2007 America East Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll
Men’s Cross Country: Joseph Belokopitsky, David Rothman, Jonathan Hilbert, Jared Jupin,
Christopher Jiminez, Mitchel Troise, Ricardo Estremera, Johnathan Moore.
Women’s Cross Country: Briana McNamee, Laine Sefick, Lea Lovell, Jessica Chichester, Kristin
Grab, Kristine Mun*, Laura Cummings’, Alexandra Panos’.
Men’s Soccer: Erik DiLorenzo, Gabriel Seguin-Gauthier, lan Peach, Anthony Desalvo, Joshua
Kwilecki, Kenneth Ibe, Bozidar Jelovac, Andrew Fojanesi, Andrew Newnham, Joseph Hogan,
Christian Valasquez, Don Johnson, Brian Gordon, Colin Veney, Mikael McNamara’, Michael Dineen’,
Sander Anker*.
Women’s Soccer: Jaclyn Rosada, Caitlin Mulligan, Meghan Garrity, Teresa Boring, Sarah Morrell,
Kelly McGuire*, Ashley Tirabassi*, Uju Ogbuawa*, Maria Ligouri*, Jaclyn Schaaf*, Kaylin Connolly”.
Field Hockey: Carrie Brown”, Susan Clephane”, Jess Lindsey*, Joanna Irey*, Ashley Ross*, Anouk
Vandenburg*, Sarah Deane*, Samantha Daly*, Vanessa Walter*.
Volleyball: Casey Wright, Teresa Coppiellie, Natasha Marquis, Laura Livergood*, Tawny Dahmes’,
Valerie Sourbeer*, Samantha Jacobson”.
* Denotes America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll
® 30.
Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
January 30, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
ALBAN
UALBANY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CRUISES TO 80-60 WIN OVER BINGHAMTON IN A-EAST ACTION
Albany, N.Y. — Five players scored in double figures, paced by Sherri Mikus and TaNika Thrower with 15 each
to lead the UAlbany women’s basketball team to an 80-60 win over Binghamton in America East Conference
action at SEFCU Arena on Wednesday evening.
Binghamton (6-13, AE 4-2) scored the first points of the game on a 3-pointer by Erica Carter, but it
would be the only lead the Bearcats would hold. UAlbany tied the game with a trey by Thrower on the next
possession, and took the lead at 17:51 on a jumper in the paint by Charity lromuanya. The Great Danes built
up an 8-point lead, 15-7, with 15:33 in the game on a shot from beyond the arc by Kristin Higy, who would
finish with 12 points for UAlbany. Carter dropped another three of her own on the ensuing Binghamton
possession to cut the lead to five, but the Great Danes would continue to add to their lead, taking a 12-point
advantage at 10:37 on a Mikus bucket.
Binghamton cut the lead back to single digits on two free throws by Muffy Sadler at 7:17, but UAlbany
would outscore the Bearcats 12-1 over the remainder of the first half to take a 42-21 advantage into the locker
room.
The Great Danes took over again to start the second period, building up a 24-point lead, 47-23 on a 3-
pointer by Ilromuanya. Binghamton continued to push a comeback, pulling within 18 on Carter’s third trey of the
game with 10:27 left to play. An Amira Ford layup at 6:24 gave UAlbany a 71-48 advantage. The Bearcats
would get to within 17 on two free throws by Darryll Peterson with 4:33 on the clock, but they would get no
closer.
Free throws by Kirsten Peterson and Ashley Lindsay down the stretch would build back the 20-point
dvantage, and a steal by Kim Clements with seven seconds remaining sealed the win for the Great Danes.
“This was a must-win for us,” said Mikus, who started her third straight game for UAlbany. “We lost a
game against UMBC that we knew we should have won, and this win was step one of digging ourselves out of
the hole we got ourselves into with that loss. We needed this momentum heading into the weekend with the
Big Purple Growl coming up on Saturday.”
UAlbany (5-14, AE 3-3) received 10 points and five assists from Britney McGee. Iromuanya added 13
points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists for the Great Danes. She also went 2-for-2 from behind the
arc, helping the Great Danes to 54.5-percent (6-of-11) from 3-point land. Senior Gia Sanders, who returned to
the court for UAlbany after missing the last two games with injury, and contributed three steals and a block,
along with three points and two boards in 20 minutes of action.
“We had a great team effort,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, whose team shot a season-
best 50.8-percent (32-of-63) from the floor. “I have said that | think we are the most athletic team in the
conference. When we start flying around like we did tonight on offense and defense, the sky is the limit with
what we can accomplish. This was a very good win for us.”
Carter paced Binghamton with 14 points, while center Laine Kurpniece added 11 points and a game-
high eight rebounds. Juta Jahilo finished with eight points for the Bearcats.
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January 30, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
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UALBANY RALLY FALLS SHORT IN 69-65 AMERICA EAST LOSS
Baltimore, Md. -- Cavell Johnson had 18 points and Darryl Proctor added 15 as UMBC held off UAlbany, 69-
65, in America East Conference play on Wednesday evening at Retriever Activities Center. The Retrievers
remained in a virtual first-place tie in the conference standings.
UMBC (14-7, AE 6-2) led 38-30 early in the second half, but then tallied nine of the game's next 11
points. Proctor, who grabbed eight rebounds, hit a reverse layup, before Justin Fry canned a three-point field
goal from the left corner. Johnson later made a jump hook for a 47-32 margin with 13:33 remaining.
UAlbany (9-11, AE 4-4) trailed by as much as 17 points in the period and were still behind, 58-44, with
less than four minutes left. However, the Great Danes scored 10 unanswered to get back into the contest.
Brian Lillis, who had 17 of his 19 points after halftime, drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the arc to close the gap
to 58-54.
The Great Danes, who had won six straight in this series, got within four on two other occasions in the
stretch. Tim Ambrose was fouled while converting a drive in the lane that got his team within 64-60 with 38.6
seconds to play. But that was as close as UAlbany would get when Ambrose missed the subsequent free
throw. UMBC's Johnson split a pair of foul shots and Proctor made two from the line to seal the outcome.
Ray Barbosa finished with 14 points for the Retrievers, who are having their best season since 2002
and have won eight of nine home games. UAlbany's Jon lati and Brian Connelly scored 14 and 10,
respectively. The Great Danes had their three-game road winning streak halted.
“| thought we played well for about 10 minutes,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose team fell
into a tie for fifth place in the America East standings. “It was a little too late against a very talented offensive
@°:": | was proud of the way we came back, but we can't break down like we did on defense. The only way
we can improve on that end of the floor is to communicate better."
Proctor helped the Retrievers get out to a 16-8 lead in the opening seven-plus minutes. Proctor made
a conventional three-point play when he was fouled on a fastbreak layup. He followed with a jumper from right
of the lane in transition. UMBC extended its advantage to 29-17 when Barbosa tipped in his own miss. The
Great Danes, who shot just 33 percent in the period, stayed within striking distance at halftime behind the play
of lati, who had 11 points off the bench.
"Our offense is not our problem,” explained Lillis, wno has scored in double figures in 19 of 20 games
this season. “Our defense drives our offense which is the way it should be. We got back into the game
because we had more energy and played with a sense of urgency on defense."
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
January 29, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
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JEAN JUSTE NAMED AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE TRACK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Cambridge, Mass. — University at Albany’s Jean Juste has been named the America East Conference men’s
indoor track performer of the week, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday afternoon.
Juste, a junior from Hempstead, N.Y., won the 55-meter hurdles to lead the UAlbany men’s team to a
first place finish at UAlbany’s Great Dane Classic on Friday, Jan. 25 at the Armory Track & Field Center in New
York City. Juste, also a cornerback on the UAlbany football team, crossed the finish line in an |C4A-qualifying
time of 7.45 seconds, the fastest in meet history and the America East Conference this season. He was just
two-hundredths of a second shy of breaking the Armory collegiate record.
UAlbany returns to the track on Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2 at Yale’s Giegengack Invitational in
New Haven, Conn.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
January 29, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
UALBANY PREPARES FOR SATURDAY’S BIG PURPLE GROWL & FEROCIOUS FEAST
Albany, N.Y. — The 11th annual Big Purple Growl and Ferocious Feast is set for Saturday, Feb. 2 on
the University at Albany campus. The University’s Winter Homecoming features a men’s and
women’s basketball doubleheader with America East Conference opponent Stony Brook University at
SEFCU Arena. The women’s game begins at 4:30 p.m., while the men follow at 7:00 p.m.
For ticket information, contact the UAlbany Athletic Ticket Office, at 518-442-4683. The Big
Purple Growl is well on its way to becoming a sold-out event for the third consecutive year. There are
currently 200 reserved seats available for general sale. The BPG event has averaged 3,555 fans in
its 10-year history.
“The Big Purple Growl is an opportunity for students, alumni and fans to stay connected to the
University at Albany and its athletic program,’ UAlbany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee
McElroy said. “It has been a pleasure to see the event grow and at the same time watch the
excitement it brings to the campus environment.”
Big Purple Growl T-shirts, courtesy of Verizon Wireless, will be distributed to the first 750 fans
at the doubleheader. Students will participate in the CDTA Shot for Tuition, with the winner receiving
an award that is equivalent to one semester's in-state tuition. Alumni will also shoot for prizes.
Residential Life will soonsor a housing lottery for five lucky UAlbany students during halftime of the
men’s game. In addition, one fan, chosen in a random drawing, will play for two other fans in the
@sercu Money Machine. UAlbany’s pep band, dance team and cheerleaders will perform. The Earth
Tones, the school’s men’s a capella group, and women’s basketball team captain TaNika Thrower
are scheduled to sing the National Anthem prior to each game.
The Ferocious Feast will be held in University Gymnasium, adjacent to SEFCU Arena, from
5:00-7:00 p.m. The Feast is completely sold out. The expanded menu includes, soy whiskey
chicken, barbecue pulled pork, macaroni and cheese and more. The Puppy Pound for younger
children highlights a list of entertainment options.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 3
For Immediate Release For Further Information
January 26, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE-LEADER HARTFORD, 63-55
West Hartford, Conn. — Senior Danielle Hood scored 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead
Hartford to a 63-55 win over UAlbany in America East Conference women’s basketball action on Saturday
afternoon at Chase Arena.
Hartford (15-4, AE 5-1), the coaches’ preseason selection to win the conference, used back-to-back
three-pointers from Hood and MaryLynne Schaefer to open the second half to pull away from the Great Danes.
Hood, a 6-foot-1 center who made 6-of-10 from the field and all seven of her free throw attempts, connected on
a layup with 8:22 remaining in the second half as Hartford built its largest lead at 51-37.
UAlbany (4-14, AE 2-3) scored the game’s next eight points to close with six at the 5:36 mark on Sherri
Mikus’ jump shot in the paint. Mary Silvia followed with a basket and Diana Delva converted layups on
consecutive possessions as Hartford pushed the lead back to 57-45 two minutes later.
Sophomore TaNika Thrower, a 5-foot-6 guard, tallied seven of her team’s final 10 points to deliver the
final score. Thrower tallied 17 points, one off her season-high, and was the lone Great Dane in double figures.
She added six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
"Our goal was to play hard, with intensity, and don't play softly,” said UAlbany head coach Trina
Patterson, whose team dropped its third straight conference game after starting league play with a pair of wins.
“We played well, especially in the second half. We knew they were post-dominant, and we had a hard time
stopping (Danielle) Hood. Their offensive rebounds hurt us."
Schaefer and Erica Beverly each recorded 10 points to join Hood in twin figures for the Hawks, who
ovr tied atop the America East standings with Vermont. Delva registered a game-high 12 rebounds,
including six off the offensive glass, to go along with nine points in 20 minutes off the bench.
Hartford jumped out to a 17-9 lead midway through the opening half on Delva’s layup. The Great Danes
responded with 14 of the game’s next 23 points to close within three at 26-23 with 3:58 remaining in the stanza
on a Kirsten Peterson layup. Thrower keyed the run by hitting a three-pointer and a jump shot. The Hawks
closed out the half with a stretch of seven straight points to go into intermission with a 33-24 advantage. Hood
tallied four of her 12 first half points in that span.
UALBANY MEN WIN GREAT DANE CLASSIC FOR FIRST TIME, WOMEN FINISH THIRD
New York, N.Y. — University at Albany’s Michael McCadney tied his own school record in winning the triple
jump to lead his team to the men’s title at the sixth annual Great Dane Classic at the Armory Track & Field
Center in New York City. The UAlbany men won the competition for the first time in the meet’s history, while
the women’s team placed third.
McCadney, who originally set the triple jump record at the 2007 IC4A championship, registered a leap
of 50-feet, 11-inches to garner first place and qualify for this season’s IC4A meet. Jean Juste, a cornerback on
the UAlbany football team, won the 55-meter high hurdles in an IC4A-qualifying time of 7.45 seconds, while
freshman Daniel Avery qualified for the IC4As by placing fourth in 7.69 seconds.
Sophomore Jeffery Barnes (Albany High) crossed the finish line second in the 200-meter dash in 22.04
seconds to qualify for the |IC4A meet. Junior Joe Greene posted another IC4A mark in the 400-meter dash with
a second-place time of 48.76. Barnes and Greene combined with Lynval Clarke and Torshiro Jenkins to place
fourth in the 4x400-meter relay in an IC4A-qualifying time of 3:17.93.
In the high jump, senior David Parker (Niskayuna) cleared the bar at 6-feet, 7-inches to record a first-
lace finish. Valete Graham (23-9.5) and Freddie Wills (23-2.75) finished first and second, respectively, in the
@::.. jump as both qualified for the IC4A meet. Freshman Wilfredo de Jesus Elias established an IC4A-mark of
57-feet, 3.5-inches in the weight throw register a second-place finish.
MORE
In the women’s competition, Kamilah McShine won the 55-meter hurdles with an ECAC-qualifying time
of 8.16 seconds. In the triple jump, Jenn Gurrant was second with a leap of 40-feet, 6.25-inches, while Arina
Gerasimova (38-7) was fifth. Each athlete qualified for the ECAC championship. Brenna Militello placed
ee in the high jump by clearing a height of 5-feet, 5-inches.
The Great Danes return to the action at Yale University’s Giegengack Invitational on Friday, Feb. 1 and
Saturday, Feb. 2.
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6th Annual Great Dane Classic (New York City Armory)
MEN — 1. UAlbany 156.5, 2. Pennsylvania 79, 3. Essex County 74, 4. Binghamton 65, 5. Monmouth 61.5, 6.
Delaware State 60, 7. Virginia Military 49, 8. Maryland-Eastern Shore 30, 9. Rider 29, 10. Montclair State 28.
11. Temple 25, 12. Columbia 14, 13. Farmingdale State 10, 14. Southern Connecticut State 7, 15. Wheeling
Jesuit 6, 16. City College of New York 3.5, 17. Ramapo 2.5, 18. Rutgers-Newark 1.
WOMEN - 1. Pennsylvania 92, 2. Princeton 88, 3. UAlbany 67, 4. Maryland- Eastern Shore 63.5, 5. Essex
County 51, 6. Delaware State 48.5, 7. Temple 46, 8. Monmouth 40, 9. Binghamton 34.5, 10. Southern
Connecticut State 28.5, 11. Rider 22, 12 (tie). Columbia & St. John's 21, 14 (tie). Wheeling Jesuit & Virginia
Military Institute14, 16. Long Island 12, 17, Montclair State 11, 18. Adelphi 10, 19. Manhattan 7.5, 20. Ramapo
4.5.
UAlbany Men’s Results
55m Dash: 7. Dieuseul Joseph 6.55, 12. Raphael Jean Baptiste 6.60, 20. Kyle Nadler 6.69, 23. Michael
McCadney 6.73. 55m High Hurdles: 1. Jean Juste 7.45 (IC4A), 4. Danny Avery 7.69 (IC4A), 6. Joe Greene
7.77, 7. Freddie Wills 7.81, 10. Anthony Assent 7.99, 11. Nick Assini 8.00, 16. David Parker 8.10, 19. Garrett
Askew 8.15, 29. Alfred Pryor Jr 8.45. 200m Dash: 2. Jeffery Barnes 22.04 (IC4A), 18. Raphael Jean Baptiste
22.71, 26. Drew Harrison 23.02. 400m Dash: 2. Joe Greene 48.76 (IC4A), 21. Lynval Clarke 50.59.
500m Dash: 17. Alan Nimblette 1:08.23. 800m Run: 5. Tyler Fogarty 1:55.23, 23. Bryan Lasky 2:00.14.
1,000m Run: 7. Joe Belokopitsky 2:35.56. 1 Mile Run: 21. Jon Hilbert 4:39.75. 3,000m Run: 4. Brian
ounces: 8:38.51, 23. David Rothman 9:11.70, 25. Chris Jimenez 9:16.94. 4x400m Relay: 4. Lynval Clarke,
orshiro Jenkins, Jeffery Barnes, Joe Greene 3:17.93 (IC4A), 16. Drew Harrison, Alan Nimblette, Andrew
Overbaugh, Tyler Fogarty 3:27.82. Distance Medley Relay: 5. Joe Belokopitsky, Alan Nimblette, Bryan Lasky,
Brian Yurkewecz 10:28.77. High Jump: 1. David Parker 6-7, 5. Freddie Wills 6-5, 9. Anthony Collica 6-3.25.
Pole Vault: 2. Luke Schoen 16-2.75 (IC4A), 3. Michael Dempsey 15-9 (IC4A), 6. David Parker 15-3, Nick
Jones NH. Long Jump: 1. Valete Graham 23-9.5 (IC4A), 2. Freddie Wills 23-2.75 (IC4A), 4. Kyle Nadler 22-
7.75, 8. Kevin O'Riley 21-6, 15. Dong Ning Hu 21-0.75, 16. David Parker 20-11.25, C.J. Ross 18-5.25. Triple
Jump: 1. Michael McCadney 50-11 (IC4A), 2. Freddie Wills 46-10.75, 5. Dong Ning Hu 44-9, 6. Kevin O’Riley
44-6.75, 11. Valete Graham 42-9.5, 13. C.J. Ross 42-6.25, Ray Gilman FOUL. Shot Put: 6. Will Anger 49-
0.25, 11. Renauld Buck 44-11.75, 13. Frank Fazzino 44-2, 19. Jordan Meikle 38-11.75. Weight Throw: 2.
Wilfredo de Jesus Elias 57-3.5 (IC4A), 5. Will Anger 53-7, 6. Kevin Lee 51-7.75.
UAlbany Women’s Results
55m Dash: 21. Sarah Lapierre 7.44, 27. Sandy Antenor 7.68, 31. Arielle Roberts 7.78, 34. Traequanda Brock
7.89. 55m High Hurdles: 1. Kamilah McShine 8.16 (ECAC), 20. Valerie Maignan 8.74. 200m Dash: 50. Sarah
Lapierre 27.94, 53. Arielle Roberts 28.20.
400m Dash: 19. Corrine Porter-Stepney 59.64, 22. Melissa Lee 1:00.26, 26. Laura Bolognino 1:00.80, 42.
Lesan Mattis 1:04.79. 500m Dash: 19. Rebecca Kelly 1:20.05, 22. Octavia Clarkson 1:21.29. 1,000m Run: 4.
Laura Cummings 2:59.89, 12. Danielle Trimpop 3:09.32, 17. Tashia Alexander 3:20.71, 18. Briana McNamee
3:22.71. 3,000m Run: 4. Kristine Mun 10:27.99, 11. Laine Sefick 10:53.32, 21. Kristin Grab 11:23.24. 1 Mile
Run: 26. Briana McNamee 5:45.78. 4x400m Relay: 7. Jenn Gurrant, Zuliana Fontanez, Corrine Porter-
Stepney, Melissa Lee 3:57.49, 16. Octavia Clarkson, Laura Bolognino, Ashley Vives, Rebecca Kelly 4:10.16.
Distance Medley Relay: 4. Kristine Mun, Ashley Vives, Zuliana Fontanez, Laura Cummings 12:15.10. High
Jump: 2. Brenna Militello 5-5, Denise Parker NH. Long Jump: 5. Jenn Gurrant 18-6, T9. Valerie Maignan 17-
11, 12. Tiffany Sprenkels 17-8. Triple Jump: 2. Jenn Gurrant 40-6.25 (ECAC), 5. Arina Gerasimova 38-7
ECAC), 7. Tiffany Sprenkels 38-1.5, 9. Sandy Antenor 37-5.25, 17. Traequanda Brock 35-9.5. Weight Throw:
5. Kadine Johnson 46-8.25, 6. Sineaid Corley 46-3.25, 7. Ritshell Verdier 45-7.25. Shot Put: 4. Kadine
Johnson 43-6.5, 13. Ritshell Verdier 37-10.5, 14. Ashley Lewis 37-0.25. Pole Vault: 9. Corinna Hengen 9-4.25,
10. Krystal Myers 9-4.25 -30-
Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
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MAINE RALLIES IN SECOND HALF TO DEFEAT UALBANY IN AMERICA EAST PLAY
Albany, N.Y. — Mark Socoby had 18 of his 20 points in the second half as Maine rallied from a double-
figure deficit to upend UAlbany, 81-70, in America East Conference play on Wednesday evening at
SEFCU Arena.
UAlbany (9-10, AE 4-3) trailed at halftime, but opened the final period with an 11-2 run. Brent
Wilson put the Great Danes ahead with a jump hook. Jimmie Covington later scored off an offensive
rebound, before Brian Connelly’s three-point play provided his team with a 41-37 advantage.
The Great Danes, who had won four of their last five entering the contest, pushed out to a 12-
point margin with 10:58 remaining. Connelly, who had 15 points, converted a drive on the right
baseline for a 51-39 lead. Maine (6-13, AE 2-4) responded with 15 of the game’s next 16 points and
was propelled by a seven-point possession. UAlbany’s Brett Gifford, a 6-foot-11 center, was called
for a technical foul after he fouled Kaimondre Owes. After the Black Bears made four free throws,
Socoby drilled a three-point field goal from the right wing.
Socoby, who made 4-of-6 shots from long distance, eventually put his team in front when he
nailed a 3-pointer from the right corner in transition. After the Great Danes tied the contest at 54
apiece on Jerel Hastings’ tip-in, Maine scored eight unanswered to pull away for good. Socoby
@yrite that stretch with a bank shot off the dribble. He and Owes each made two free throws, before
Junior Bernal added a fastbreak layup for a 62-54 margin with 5:49 to play.
UAlbany was still within five of the lead two minutes later, but Socoby sealed the outcome with
a 3-pointer off an inbounds pass. Bernal, who had 16 points and four rebounds, pushed the margin
to double digits by sinking two foul shots. Owes, playing in his eighth game since transferring from
St. Peter’s, finished with 17 points and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the line.
“Any win is important,” said Maine coach Ted Woodward, whose team knocked off conference-
leader UMBC on the road 11 days ago. “After we had a good win at UMBC, we struggled some at
home. But we were still pleased with certain things. This team is growing all the time.”
The first half featured 10 lead changes and three ties. UAlbany’s Tim Ambrose, who scored
16 off the bench, tallied off a fastbreak to draw his team even at 28 apiece. But Maine followed with
seven of the stanza’s final eight points. Sean McNally keyed that spurt with a 3-pointer from right of
the key, as his team took a 35-30 lead to the break.
Brian Lillis had 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Great Danes, who
have lost back-to-back home games for the first time since January 2005. The Black Bears, who
halted a three-game losing streak, shot 64.7 percent from the field and made 31-of-36 from the
charity stripe.
‘It's real frustrating because we didn’t start off the game with a lot of energy,” said UAlbany
center Jimmie Covington, who had four points and a season-best seven rebounds. “Basketball is a
game of runs, but we didn’t get any stops. Everyone (on this team) has to look within themselves and
hold themselves accountable.”
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
January 23, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
LUKE SCHOEN NAMED AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE FIELD PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Cambridge, Mass. — University at Albany’s Luke Schoen has been named the America East Conference men’s
indoor field performer of the week, as announced by the conference office on Wednesday afternoon.
Schoen, a sophomore from Bohemia, N.Y., placed second in the pole vault at the Gotham Cup hosted
by New York University on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Armory Track & Field Center in New York City. Schoen, the
school record holder in the event, cleared the bar at an IC4A-qualifying height of 16-feet, 2.75-inches, the third-
best performance in program history.
The Great Danes return to the track on Friday, Jan. 25 at the Armory Track & Field Center as they host
the sixth annual Great Dane Classic.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
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January 22, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
GREAT DANES FALL SHORT IN 56-55 AMERICA EAST LOSS AGAINST UMBC
Albany, N.Y. — Kristin Drabyn had 20 points and Carlee Cassidy added 19 as UMBC held off
UAlbany, 56-55, in an America East Conference contest on Tuesday evening at SEFCU Arena.
UMBC (6-12, AE 2-3) snapped a 33-33 tie early in the second half with 11 unanswered.
Drabyn, who made 8-of-11 from the field, buried one of her four 3-point field goals, before Cassidy
followed with another long-range jumper from the left wing. After Michele Brokans converted a
driving layup, Cassidy ended that outburst with a 3-pointer from the right corner.
UAlbany (4-13, AE 2-2) rallied with 12 of the game’s next 14 points to close the gap to 46-45.
Sherri Mikus, who posted season-highs with 16 points and 12 rebounds, scored three baskets and
made two free throws in that span. Kristin Higy converted in the lane off Charity lromuanya’s feed to
finish off that run with 9:50 remaining.
The Retrievers, who had dropped six of their previous seven entering the game, pushed out to
a 53-47 lead when Meghan Colabella nailed a jumper from the just above the foul line. But UAlbany
fought back again behind Higy, a 6-foot-1 senior who had eight of her 11 points in the stretch. Her
three-pointer from the left side drew her team within 54-52.
After UMBC’s Jenny Lidgren connected in the lane from a driving Cassidy, Higy sliced the
deficit to 56-55 when she stepped out on the right wing to drill a 3-pointer. Lidgren would turn the ball
over with 16 seconds left on a travel call, but UAlbany failed to get off a clean attempt on its last
possession when Higy’s long-range shot fell short.
“It shouldn’t have come down to a last-second shot,” explained Higy, whose squad was without
the services of leading rebounder Gia Sanders due to a fractured finger on her right hand.
“Unfortunately | couldn't get a good shot off, but we put ourselves in that position.”
The Great Danes built a 22-15 lead with 7:50 left in the opening period by making nine of their
opening 16 shots. Mikus hit a bank shot in the lane and freshman guard Janea Aiken, who had 10 of
her 12 points in the period, canned a 16-foot jumper to give their team its biggest margin.
UMBC regrouped with a string of 11 consecutive points. Drabyn, a senior guard who netted 14
in the stanza, put her club ahead with a jumper in the circle. Cassidy, the conference’s top scorer,
added a pair of free throws for a 26-22 advantage. The Retrievers, who reached the NCAAs for the
first time last year after winning the conference tournament championship, would settle for a one-
point halftime lead.
“This was a must-win for us if we were going to stay in the top four in the conference
standings,’ said UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, whose team shot 37.9 percent against UMBC’s zone
defense. “We didn't play with energy, we didn’t rebound like we normally do and we didn’t guard their
key shooters. | am disappointed in the team’s effort.”
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January 22, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
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FOUR UALBANY FOOTBALL PLAYERS ON SPORTS NETWORK MID-MAJOR ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Philadelphia, Pa. — Northeast Conference champion University at Albany placed four players on the 2007
Sports Network Mid-Major and Independent Division | FCS All-America squad. Michael Dungey, Sam Pagano
and David McCarty were first-team selections, while Colin Disch was named to the second team.
Dungey, who has previously has been named to several All-America teams, led a defensive unit that
was ranked nationally in several categories. Dungey, who started all 12 games at the tackle and end positions,
was voted All-Northeast Conference for the third year in a row. At 6-foot-2 and 275-pounds, Dungey made 44
tackles with 11.5 hits for a loss and 5.5 quarterback sacks.
Pagano, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound left guard, blocked for an offense that averaged 28.4 points and 362.5
total yards. The Great Danes were 20th among Division | FCS teams in rushing at 208.3 yards per game.
Pagano made his third straight appearance on the All-NEC unit. McCarty, a sophomore tailback, rushed for
the third-highest single-season total in team history with 1,503 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ran for 100 or
more yards in eight games. McCarty, who piled up 247 yards in the conference championship against Central
Connecticut State, averaged 125.3 per game, the tenth-leading FCS rushing mark nationally.
Colin Disch earned Sports Network mid-major honors for the third consecutive season. Disch, a senior
inside linebacker, led the Great Danes with 70 tackles. He became the third UAlbany player to be named all-
conference four times. Disch finished his career as the school’s all-time tackles leader with 416. He ranks
third on the NEC’s career list.
© UALBANY PLACES 13 FOOTBALL PLAYERS ON NEC FALL ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL
somerset, N.J. — Jon Volpe, an all-conference defensive end, leads a group of thirteen UAlbany football
players who have been named to the 2007 Northeast Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll, as announced on
Tuesday by the league office.
Volpe, who is enrolled in the school’s master’s program, has a 3.40 grade point average. He has an
undergraduate degree in business administration with a minor in economics. Chris Simpson, a sophomore
linebacker, and junior tight end Dan Archer were also recognized. Simpson has a 3.95 GPA in physics, while
Archer owns a 3.21 GPA in business administration.
Other UAlbany athletes named were quarterback Frank Blasinsky (3.40, business administration),
flanker Daniel Bocanegra (3.20, business administration), fullback Chris Bright (3.55, biology), offensive guard
Mike Falatyn (3.78, biology), inside linebacker Joe Grassia (3.43, business administration), defensive end Wil
Moushey (3.72, business administration), offensive tackle Keith Peifer (3.34 business administration),
defensive end Tony Sparano (3.27, history), offensive tackle Andrew Stevens (3.31, business administration)
and defensive tackle Tyler Vernieu (3.32, business administration).
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January 21, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
(ALBAN
BRIAN LILLIS NAMED AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cambridge, Mass. — University at Albany’s Brian Lillis has been selected as the America East
Conference Co-Player of the Week in men’s basketball after leading his team to a pair of conference
road wins. He shared the weekly award with Vermont's Marqus Blakely.
Lillis, a senior from Urbandale, lowa, averaged 21.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists last
week. He had 27 points and 12 rebounds in a 70-63 triumph against Boston University on Jan. 16 to
become the first UAlbany player to register back-to-back doubles at the Division | level. Lillis tied the
school’s single-game record by making 15 free throws in the contest. The 6-foot-5 guard totaled 15
points, 10 rebounds and five assists in last Saturday's 73-63 victory at Harford. In that effort, Lillis
became the first Great Dane to record a double-double in three straight games since February 1998.
Lillis, who is averaging 16.1 points and 6.0 rebounds, ranks among the America East leaders
in scoring (5th), steals (6th), rebounding (9th) and assists (9th). UAlbany (9-9, AE 4-2) has moved
into a tie for first place in the conference standings.
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January 19, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
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WILSON AND LILLIS RECORD DOUBLE-DOUBLES IN AMERICA EAST ROAD WIN
West Hartford, Conn. - Brent Wilson had 17 points and Jerel Hastings added a career-high 16 as UAlbany held
off Hartford, 73-63, in America East Conference play on Saturday evening at Chase Arena. The Great Danes
recorded their third consecutive road win.
Hartford (8-11, AE 2-2) trailed by as much as 18 early in the second half, but rallied behind Jaret Von
Rosenberg. The junior guard had eight of his 12 points in a run of 14 unanswered. His three-point play sliced
the deficit to 46-43 with 11:21 remaining. The Hawks, who had won six of seven at home entering the contest,
stayed within three over the next five minutes.
UAlbany (9-9, AE 4-2) finally broke free when Jon lati drilled a three-point field from right of the key and
Brent Wilson scored off an inbounds pass for a 57-49 advantage. Wilson, who made 4-of-8 from beyond the
arc, registered his fifth career double-double by grabbing 11 rebounds.
“There are stretches where we get complacent,” explained Wilson. “It's a whole new team and it's our
(the seniors) job to get everyone together. We are starting to create an identity on the road. We were
disappointed with the way we played at home against Binghamton (Jan. 12)."
Warren McLendon, who led all scorers with 19, closed the Hawks within 59-54 by delivering in the
paint. But lati would beat the shot clock with a rainbow 3-pointer on his team's next possession that seemed to
seal the outcome. The Great Danes used the free throw line to hold their lead over the final two minutes.
Brian Lillis posted his third consecutive double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, the first by a
UAlbany player since 1998. The Great Danes moved into a virtual five-way tie for first place in the conference
standings. Joe Zeglinski was the third Hawk in twin figures with 13 points.
© "We set the tone on defense in the first half, but we couldn't make a shot on offense,” said UAlbany
head coach Will Brown, whose team reached the .500 mark for the first time since mid-December. “The first
six Or seven minutes of the second half we just kept turning the ball over. We finally settled down and made
some plays down the stretch."
The Great Danes held Hartford scoreless through the first media timeout and without a field goal for
nine-plus minutes at the start. Meanwhile, Hastings, who scored 10 in the period, canned a pair of free throws
for an 11-3 lead during that stretch. Hastings pushed the lead to double figures when he made a conventional
three-point play as he was fouled on a basket in the lane.
UAlbany still led 23-11 with four minutes left in the stanza, but then ran off seven unanswered. Lillis
connected off an offensive rebound and nailed a 17-footer from the right side, before Tim Ambrose hit two foul
shots to provide his team with a 19-point cushion. The Hawks shot just 19 percent before the break on 4-of-21
attempts.
"One of our goals was to defend the three-point line,” said Lillis, whose team was confounded by a
Hartford zone press for a majority of the second half. “They took advantage of our size advantage with their
pressure (in the second half). They were scrappy and were beating our guys to the ball."
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January 18, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
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8
BRENNA MILITELLO WINS HIGH JUMP AT NYU’S GOTHAM CUP AS SIX GREAT DANES QUALIFY FOR
ECAC AND IC4A COMPETITION
New York, N.Y. — UAlbany’s Brenna Militello won the high jump and qualified for the ECAC meet to highlight
the Great Danes performance at New York University’s Gotham Cup on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Armory Track &
Field Center. Five members of the men’s team and a relay team qualified for the |IC4A meet with their
showings.
Militello qualified for the ECAC meet by winning the high jump by clearing the bar at 5-feet, 7-inches.
Junior Laura Cummings placed fifth in the one mile run in a time of 5:01.19 and was a member of the second-
place distance medley relay. Cummings, Valerie Maignan, Kristine Mun and Laine Sefick combined for a time
of 12:35.39. Freshman Kadine Johnson finished second in the weight throw with a toss of 48-feet, 6.75-inches.
In the men’s competition, junior Joe Greene qualified for the IC4A meet in the 500-meter dash with a
second-place performance in a time of 1:03.12. Greene also anchored the IC4A-qualifying 4x400-meter relay
team that placed second in 3:13.34. Lynval Clarke, Andrew Overbaugh and Jeffery Barnes (Albany High)
combined with Greene in the race. In the 60-meter hurdles, junior Jean Juste qualified for the IC4A meet with a
fourth-place finish in 8.21 seconds. Sophomore Luke Schoen (16-2.75) and freshman Michael Dempsey (15-9)
finished second and third in the pole vault to qualify for the IC4A competition. In the long jump, Valete Graham
had a leap of 23-feet, 6-inches to place third and qualify for the IC4A event.
The Great Danes return to the track as they host the UAlbany Great Dane Classic at the Armory Track
& Field Center in New York City on Friday, Jan. 25.
Du aivany Men’s Results
60 Meter Hurdles: 4. Jean Juste 8.21 (IC4A), 7. Garrett Askew 8.43, 11. Anthony Assent 8.52, 24. Daniel
Avery 8.70, 30. Nick Assini 8.90. 60 Meter Dash: 17. Dieuseul Joseph 7.16, 19. Raphael Jean-Baptiste 7.17,
29. Torshiro Jenkins 7.24. 1 Mile Run: 32. Chris Jimenez 4:36.37. 400 Meter Dash: 8. Jeffery Barnes 49.51,
32. Alan Nimblette 51.36, 38. Andrew Overbaugh 51.61. 500 Meter Dash: 2. Joe Greene 1:03.12 (IC4A), 22.
Lynval Clarke 1:07.65. 1,000 Meter Run: 26. Joe Belokopitsky 2:36.33, 38. Bryan Lasky 2:41.04. 3,000 Meter
Run: 15. Brian Yurkewecz 8:48.14, 24. David Rothman 9:21.50. 4x800 Meter Relay: 8. Joe Belokopitsky,
Jared Jupin, Bryan Lasky, Tyler Fogarty 8:05.72. Distance Medley Relay: 12. Brian Yurkewecz, LeVar Nero,
Chris Jimenez, Bryan Lasky 11:12.84. 4x400 Meter Relay: 2. Lynval Clarke, Andrew Overbaugh, Jeffery
Barnes, Joe Greene, 3:13.34 (IC4A). Shot Put: 7. Renauld Buck 47-4.25. Pole Vault: 2. Luke Schoen 16-2.75
(IC4A), 3. Michael Dempsey 15-9 (IC4A), 4. David Parker 14-9. Long Jump: 3. Valete Graham 23-6 (IC4A), 8.
Kevin O'Riley 22-3.5, 9. Kyle Nadler 21-9. Weight Throw: 9. Will Anger 49-3.5, 10. Kevin Lee 47-10. High
Jump: 14. David Parker 6-5, T4. Freddie Wills 6-5, Anthony Collica NH.
60 Meter Hurdles: 11. Valerie Maignan 9.31. 60 Meter Dash: 39. Sarah Lapierre 8.31, 41. Sandy Antenor
8.34, 50. Arielle Roberts 8.57. 1 Mile Run: 5. Laura Cummings 5:01.19, 34. Tashia Alexander 5:47.57. 400
Meter Dash: 6. Corrine Porter-Stepney 58.92, 17. Melissa Lee 59.65, 26. Laura Bolognino 1:01.49. 500 Meter
Dash: 13. Zuliana Fontanez 1:19.16, 19. Octavia Clarkson 1:20.69, 24. Rebecca Kelly 1:22.55. 1,000 Meter
Run: 31. Briana McNamee 3:23.37. 3,000 Meter Run: 7. Kristine Mun 10:39.86, 17. Kristin Grab 11:43.85.
4x800 Meter Relay: 7. Esperanza Blanco, Ally Panos, Briana McNamee, Tashia Alexander 10:42.13.
Distance Medley Relay: 2. Laura Cummings, Valerie Maignan, Kristine Mun, Laine Sefick 12:35.39. 4x400
eter Relay: 4. Jenn Gurrant, Zuliana Fontanez, Ashley Vives, Melissa Lee 3:57.0. Shot Put: 5. Ritshell
@ cc: 43-7, 7. Kadine Johnson 41-1.75. Pole Vault: 13. Corinna Hengen 9-10, Krystal Myers NH. Long
Jump: 16. Jenn Gurrant 17-9.75, 18. Sandy Antenor 16-5.75.
UAlbany Women’s Results
Weight Throw: 2. Kadine Johnson 48-6.75, 5. Ritshell Verdier 46-2.75, 6. Sineaid Corley 46-2. High Jump: 1.
Brenna Militello 5-7 (ECAC), 21. Sandy Antenor 4-11, Denise Parker NH. Triple Jump: 5. Tiffany Sprenkels
37-10.75, 13. Traequanda Brock 35-11.25.
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AL N January 16, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
BRIAN LILLIS’ DOUBLE-DOUBLE LEADS UALBANY PAST BOSTON UNIVERSITY 70-63
Boston, Mass - Brian Lillis had 27 points and 12 rebounds in leading UAlbany to a 70-63 victory over Boston
University in America East Conference play on Wednesday evening at Case Gymnasium. The Great Danes
posted their second straight road win.
Boston U. (4-12, AE 1-3) rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit to close within 38-37 on Valdas Sirutis'
three-point shot from the left wing. UAlbany (8-9, AE 3-2) responded with 13 of the game's next 17 points.
Jon lati ignited that stretch with a 3-pointer. Brent Wilson, who had 12 points, later scored on a follow shot,
before Brett Gifford added another offensive-rebound basket for a 51-41 lead midway through the period.
The Terriers would cut that margin in half when Tyler Morris made a 3-pointer from the right side that
brought his team within 60-55. Lillis then drained four consecutive free throws for a nine-point lead with 2:10
remaining. But Boston U. came up with a pair of steals in making another run. Freshman John Holland, who
scored 19, converted a three-point play after the second theft. However, Lillis, wno made 15-of-16 from line,
made five more from the charity stripe in the final minute to seal the verdict.
Corey Lowe, one of the league's top scorers, led the Terriers with 20 points, including five 3-pointers.
Morris finished with 11. Brian Connelly added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Great Danes, who shot a
season-best 54.5 percent from the floor.
“Brian Lillis took this team on his back tonight,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose team has
won three of its last four games. “He is certainly the most valuable player in this conference. We made some
istakes at the end of the first half after we got the 17-point lead, but we still overcame that. BU is hard to
m
Qyuarc because they stretch the defense. | think Corey Lowe is going to make every shot."
The Great Danes tallied the opening nine points. Wilson, who went scoreless in his last outing, hit a
jump hook and canned a three-point field goal in that stretch. Wilson, a 6'8" senior, would later drill another
long-range jumper for an 18-6 lead.
UAlbany held a 10-point margin five minutes later, but then ran off seven consecutive points. Lillis, who
had 14 in the period, sank a pair of free throws before Rob Moores made a 3-pointer from the left wing for a
31-14 advantage. The Terriers sliced that lead in half by the break, as Lowe nailed a deep triple and made two
free throws in the final 30 seconds of the stanza.
“We played with confidence and a sense of urgency,” said Lillis, who recorded his fourth career double-
double and is averaging nearly 23 points per game in conference play. “Any win is significant, especially one
on the road. It is great to see your teammates happy when you come in the locker room. We were letting our
offense affect our defense earlier, now it is the other way around."
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@ AL N January 16, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
UALBANY DROPS 73-58 DECISION AT VERMONT IN AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE ACTION
Burlington, Vt. — Courtney Pilypaitis scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Vermont to a 73-58
win over UAlbany in America East Conference women’s basketball action on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at Patrick
Gymnasium.
Vermont (11-5, AE 2-1) scored off the opening tip and led the duration of the game. Pilypaitis hit a
three-pointer to open the game as the Catamounts jumped out to a 13-4 lead less than five minutes into the
contest. UAlbany (4-12, AE 2-1) scored 10 of the game’s next 15 points to close within 19-14 on an Amira Ford
fastbreak layup.
Vermont responded with a 16-6 run to open up its largest lead of the half at 35-20. The Catamounts
were led over the stretch with contributions off the bench as Tonya Young scored seven points and Sy
Janousek added five points. Senior forward Gia Sanders led the Great Danes in the opening half with 11 points
and six rebounds.
"The difference in the game was rebounding,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, whose team
was Off to its best start in the program’s America East history. “They had 25 offensive rebounds, which led to
74 shot attempts. It was a matter of not boxing out. We also had trouble shooting, and when we aren't making
baskets, we can't get into our press."
After May Kotsopoulos scored to open the second half for Vermont, UAlbany rattled off seven straight
points to move within nine points of the Catamounts capped off by a shot in the paint from TaNika Thrower at
@" 15:13 mark of the second stanza. Following back-and-forth action over the next five minutes, the Great
Danes pulled within eight points on a pair of free throws at the midway point of the half.
The Catamounts answered back with a 17-6 run to pull away from the Great Danes. Young opened the
stretch with five points and Pilypaitis tallied the six points on the back end as Vermont built a 67-48 advantage.
Pilypaitis was one of four Catamounts to score in double figures. She was joined by Young with 14,
Janousek with 11 and Amy Rosenkrantz added 13 points.
Britney McGee scored all 13 of her points in the second half to reach double figures for the eighth
consecutive game. Sanders finished with 11 rebounds and a career-high seven blocks to go along with her 11
points. Freshman Janea Aiken joined McGee and Sanders in twin figures with 11 points off the bench.
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January 15, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
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AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE HONORS UALBANY’S GREENE, PARKER AND GURRANT
Cambridge, Mass. — University at Albany’s Joe Greene, David Parker and Jenn Gurrant have received indoor
track and field weekly honors from the America East Conference, as announced by the conference office on
Tuesday afternoon.
Greene, a junior from Rochester, N.Y., was selected as the men’s track performer of the week for the
second time this season. Greene earned the honor after setting the program’s record in the 300-meter dash
with a first-place time of 33.81 seconds and running the anchor leg on the second-place, record-setting 4x300-
meter relay team that finished in a time of 2:17.95 at the Encuentro Atletismo Eugenio Guerra meet on
Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Sixto Escobar Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Greene also picked up a second-
place finish in the 60-meter hurdles in a time of 8.22 seconds.
Parker, a senior from Niskayuna, N.Y., was selected the men’s field performer of the week. Parker was
recognized for winning the heptathlon at Army’s Crowell Open on Jan. 11-12. Parker scored 4,898 points, just
16 shy of his own school standard, by taking first in the 60-meter high hurdles (8.91), pole vault (14-3.25) and
high jump (6-5) and second in the shot put (86-9.75) and long jump (22-0.75).
Gurrant, a junior tri-captain from Batavia, N.Y., was chosen as the women’s field performer of the week.
Gurrant received the honor after a win in the long jump with a leap of 18-feet, 1-inch (5.51m) at the Encuentro
Atletismo Eugenio Guerra meet on Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Sixto Escobar Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Gurrant was also a member of the 4x300-meter relay team that finished first in a time of 2:47.94, a program
record.
© The Great Danes return to the track on Friday, Jan 18 at the Gotham Cup in New York City.
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JOE GREENE SETS PROGRAM RECORD IN 300 METER DASH VICTORY AT PUERTO RICO INVITE
San Juan, Puerto Rico — UAlbany’s Joe Greene set two program records to lead the Great Danes at the
Encuentro Atletismo Eugenio Guerra meet on Saturday afternoon at the Sixto Escobar Stadium.
Greene won the 300-meter dash in 33.81 seconds to set the program record and ran the anchor leg on
the second-place, program-record setting 4x300-meter relay team also consisting of Lynval Clarke, Andrew
Overbaugh and Jeffery Barnes (Albany) with a time of 2:17.95. Greene also placed second in the 60-meter
hurdles (8.22). Senior Ricardo Estremera and freshman Wilfredo de Jesus Elias, natives of Puerto Rico,
placed third in the 3,000-meter run and won the hammer throw with a toss of 181-feet, 8-inches, respectively.
The Great Danes also received a first place finish from sophomore Valete Graham in the long jump (23-7.5).
In the women’s competition, junior Jenn Gurrant won the long jump with a leap of 18-feet, 1-inch and
was a member of the program-record setting 4x300-meter relay team. The quartet of Gurrant, Melissa Lee,
Ashley Vives (Shenendehowa), and Zuliana Fontanez finished first in 2:47.94. UAlbany received second-place
finishes from junior Ritshell Verdier in the shot put (38-11.75) and senior Brenna Militello in the high jump (5-5).
The Great Danes return to the track at the Gotham Cup on Friday, January 18.
UAlbany Men’s Results
150 Meter Dash: 10. Jeffery Barnes 16.55, 13. Dieuseul Joseph 16.68, 16. Drew Harrison 16.79. 300 Meter
Dash: 1. Joe Greene 33.81, 13. Drew Harrison 35.77. 600 Meter Run: 6. Lynval Clarke 1:22.74, 9. Andrew
Overbaugh 1:23.26. 3,000 Meter Run: 3. Ricardo Estremera 8:44.13. 60 Meter Hurdles: 2. Joe Greene 8.22,
3. Jean Juste 8.25. 4x300 Meter Relay: 2. Lynval Clarke, Andrew Overbaugh, Jeffery Barnes, Joe Greene
:17.95. Shot Put: 6. Renauld Buck 44-4, 10. Will Anger 42-8.25. Hammer Throw: 1. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias
181-8, 7. Will Anger 129-3.5. Long Jump: 1. Valete Graham 23-7.5, 2. Michael McCadney 23-5.25, 7. Dong
Ning Hu 21-5.5.
UAlbany Women’s Results
300 Meter Dash: 6. Melissa Lee 42.13, 14. Rebecca Kelly 43.48, 15. Laura Bolognino 43.82. 600 Meter Dash:
3. Zuliana Fontanez 1:38.62, 9. Octavia Clarkson 1:42.60, 12. Corrine Porter-Stepney 1:49.68. 4x300 Meter
Relay: 1. Jenn Gurrant, Melissa Lee, Ashley Vives, Zuliana Fontanez 2:47.94. Shot Put: 2. Ritshell Verdier
38-11.75, 4. Kadine Johnson 34-8.5. Hammer Throw: 8. Kadine Johnson 122-4, 9. Ritshell Verdier 119-1.5.
Long Jump: 1. Jenn Gurrant 18-1, T5. Tiffany Sprenkels 17-4, 8. Sandy Antenor 17-0.5. High Jump: 2.
Brenna Militello 5-5.
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January 13, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
UALBANY ROLLS TO 78-46 AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE VICTORY OVER MAINE
Albany, N.Y. — TaNika Thrower had 17 points and Britney McGee added 15 as UAlbany rolled to its
third consecutive victory in a 78-46 America East Conference triumph over Maine on Sunday
afternoon at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes posted their largest win margin against a conference
opponent and upended the Black Bears for the first time in 15 meetings.
UAlbany (4-11, AE 2-0) started the contest with 11 unanswered points. Kristin Higy, one of
five players in double figures with 10 points, buried a three-point field goal from the left corner.
Thrower, who made 6-of-9 from the field, added a pair of long-range shots following Maine turnovers.
The Great Danes pushed out to a 20-2 advantage with nearly seven minutes elapsed. Gia Sanders,
a 6-foot senior, contributed on both ends of the floor. Sanders, who had three of her four blocks and
all three steals before the break, hit a fastbreak layup and a short jumper in the lane.
UAlbany used full-court pressure to force 18 of Maine’s 30 turnovers in the opening stanza en
route to a 45-18 halftime margin. McGee, who scored in double figures for the seventh straight
game, made one of her three 3-pointers in the period to give her team a 28-point cushion with 2:51
left. Maine (4-11, AE 1-1) was limited to 16.4-percent shooting on 4-of-24 attempts.
The Great Danes, who are off to their best start in league play, kept the pressure on in the
second half. Charity lromuanya made one of his squad’s season-high 13 three-pointers from the left
acinas for a 638-35 lead. Iromuanya, who netted 11 points, upped the Great Danes’ margin to 30 on a
jumper in the lane with 4:05 to play.
“Give Albany credit for their pressure,” said Maine coach Cindy Blodgett, whose squad made
just 28.3 percent from the field overall. “We've seen it before (this season) against Miami and
Clemson. But today was a step backward and we handled it poorly.”
Freshman forward Tanna Ross led the Black Bears with a career-high 22 points. UAlbany’s
Sanders finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. The Great Danes made 13-of-24 from beyond
the arc.
“We wanted to win badly,” explained Sanders, whose team last won three in a row in the 2004-
O05 campaign. “We feel confident and we are tired of losing. Our pressure has an effect on an
opponent, but we couldn't play the second half like the game was over. We have lost leads before.”
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January 12, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
» (ALBAN
YURKEWECZ FINISHES SECOND IN 3,000 METER RUN AT YALE INVITATIONAL
New Haven, Conn. — UAlbany’s Brian Yurkewecz (Fonda-Fultonville) finished in second place in the 3,000
meter run to highlight the Great Danes’ performance at the 26th Yale Intercollegiate Track Classic at Coxe
Cage on Saturday afternoon.
Yurkewecz completed the 3,000-meter race in 8:42.31 for the second-place finish. Freshman Michael
Dempsey tied for third in the pole vault by clearing 15-feet, 9-inches and Luke Schoen placed fifth with a height
of 15-9. In the 60-meter high hurdles, Daniel Avery made his collegiate debut with a fifth-place finish in a time
of 8.32 and Garrett Askew placed sixth in 8.56. Tyler Fogarty (Clifton Park) crossed the finish line in 1:59.20 in
the 800-meter run for a seventh place finish.
In the women’s competition, UAlbany received fourth-place and 10th-place finishes in the 3,000-meter
run from freshman Kristine Mun (10:34.20) and Laine Sefick (11:05.42), respectively. Sophomore Traequanda
Brock placed fifth in the triple jump with a leap of 34-feet, 9.50-inches. Sophomore Krystal Myers (Guilderland)
garnered a sixth-place finish in the pole vault by clearing the bar at 9-4.25. The distance medley relay team of
Laura Cummings, Lesan Mattis, Ally Panos and Danielle Trimpop finished eighth in 13:35.41.
The Great Danes return to action at the Gotham Cup in New York City on Friday, January 18.
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oe.” Men’s Results
Long Jump: 9. Fred Casimo 21-3.25, 14. Kyle Nadler 20-7.25. Triple Jump: 15. C.J. Ross 40-3.50. Pole
Vault: T3. Michael Dempsey 15-9, 5. Luke Schoen 15-9.
1 Mile Run: 25. Joe Belokopitsky 4:42.59, 26. Jared Jupin 4:43.79, 28. Bryan Lasky 4:46.74. 400 Meter Dash:
22. Alan Nimblette 51.67. 60 Meter Hurdles: 5. Daniel Avery 8.32, 6. Garrett Askew 8.56, 9. Anthony Assent
8.52, 10. Nick Assini 8.61. 60 Meter Dash: 12. Raphael Jean-Baptiste 7.18, 21. Torshiro Jenkins 7.31, 30.
Daniel Avery 7.45, 33. C.J. Ross 7.54, 42. Alfred Pryor 7.83. Distance Medley Relay: 11. Joe Belokopitsky,
Alan Nimblette, Jared Jupin, Chris Jimenez 10:56.59. 800 Meter Run: 7. Tyler Fogarty 1:59.20, 42. LeVar
Nero 2:12.00. 3000 Meter Run: 2. Brian Yurkewecz 8:42.31, 22. David Rothman 9:19.75. 4x800 Meter Relay:
14. 8:22.58. 4x400 Meter Relay: 10. Alan Nimblette, Torshiro Jenkins, Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Tyler Fogarty
3:26.20.
UAlbany Women’s Results
Triple Jump: 5. Traequanda Brock 34-9.50. Pole Vault: 6. Krystal Myers 9-4.25, - Corrina Hengen NH. 1 Mile
Run: 21. Tashia Alexander 5:54.30, 24. Briana McNamee 6:02.94. 400 Meter Dash: 23. Lesan Mattis 1:05.78.
60 Meter Dash: 23. Traequanda Brock 8.56. Distance Medley Relay: 8. Laura Cummings, Lesan Mattis, Ally
Panos, Danielle Trimpop 13:35.41. 800 Meter Run: 18. Esperanza Blanco 2:34.06. 3000 Meter Run: 4.
Kristine Mun 10:34.20, 10. Laine Sefick 11:05.42, 16. Kristin Grab 11:31.83.
4x800 Meter Relay: 5. 10:30.42.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
January 12, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
DAVID PARKER WINS HEPTATHLON AT ARMY’S CROWELL OPEN
West Point, N.Y. - UAlbany’s David Parker (Niskayuna) won two of the final three events in winning the
heptathlon to highlight the Great Danes’ performance at Army’s Crowell Open on Saturday afternoon at the
Gillis Field House.
Parker, who tallied 2,749 points in the first four events on Friday, finished the competition with a total of 4,888
points. Parker won the 60-meter high hurdles in 8.91 seconds and the pole vault with a height of 14-feet, 3.25-
inches to finish just 26 points short of his program record in the heptathlon. Freshman Kevin O'Riley finished
third with 3,844 points, while Nick Jones (Shenendehowa) placed eighth with 2,966 points.
Freshman Anthony Collica tied for fourth in the high jump by clearing the bar at 6-feet, 0.5 inches. In the weight
throw, Kevin Lee (Shaker) finished fourth with a throw of 46-3.50. Frank Fazzino came in seventh in the shot
put with a toss of 44-7.50.
In the women’s competition, Sineaid Corley had a toss of 45-0.50 in the weight throw. Candice Mann had
throws of 38-feet, 7-inches in the shot put and 42-feet, 11.75-inches in the weight throw. Freshman Denise
Parker cleared a height of 4-feet, 7-inches in the high jump, while senior Valerie Maignan finished the 60-meter
hurdles in 9.72 seconds.
@””"” returns to the track at the Gotham Cup in New York City on Friday, January 18.
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UAlbany Men’s Results
Heptathlon: 1. David Parker 4,888 points, 3. Kevin O’Riley 3,844 points, 8. Nick Jones 2,966 points. High
Jump: 14. Anthony Collica 6-0.5. Shot Put: 7. Frank Fazzino 44-7.50. Weight Throw: 4. Kevin Lee 46-3.50.
UAlbany Women’s Results
60 Meter Hurdles: 11. Valerie Maignan 9.72. High Jump: 10. Denise Parker 4-7. Shot Put: 11. Candice
Mann 38-7. Weight Throw: 9. Sineaid Corley 45-0.5, 11. Candice Mann 42-11.75.
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January 12, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
» (ALBAN
MIKE GORDON SCORES CAREER-HIGH 32 IN BINGHAMTON’S A-EAST WIN OVER UALBANY
Albany, N.Y. — Mike Gordon scored a career-high 32 points and made eight three-point field goals in
leading Binghamton to a 71-57 America East Conference victory over UAlbany on Saturday afternoon
at SEFCU Arena.
Binghamton (6-10, AE 2-2) snapped a 46-46 deadlock with eight consecutive points. Gordon,
who made 11-of-17 from the field, including 8-of-11 from beyond the arc, drilled a 3-pointer to put his
team ahead for good. Lazar Trifunovic, who had 13 points and seven rebounds, followed with a left-
handed jump hook on the baseline. Gordon ended the decisive run with a 30-footer that beat the shot
clock with 6:45 remaining.
Trifunovic, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, hit a driving bank shot three minutes later for a 60-50 lead.
UAlbany (7-9, AE 2-2) closed within five points when Jon lati delivered a three-pointer from right of
the key. The Great Danes’ Jerel Hastings then came up with a steal off the inbounds pass. But Brian
Connelly missed in the lane in an effort to make it a one possession game. Binghamton’s Reggie
Fuller converted in transition and his team was on the way to its first road win of the season.
“We had great ball movement,” said Gordon, a senior guard who added five rebounds, two
assists and two steals. “We worked the ball inside and out, especially when they were trying to
Grourle Lazar (Trifunovic). | just knocked down shots.”
In the first half, the Bearcats made their opening six field goal attempts en route to a 16-9 lead,
as Gordon canned a 23-footer from the right wing. Milos Klimovic added another long-range jumper
to increase his team’s advantage to double figures with 6:02 left in the period.
The Great Danes, who trailed by five at the intermission, rallied from a 44-36 deficit behind the
play of Brian Lillis, a 65” senior who had 25 points and 11 rebounds. Brian Connelly and lati each
sank three-pointers to help their draw even. Lillis canned a 12-foot bank from the right side to tie the
contest at 46 apiece with 9:21 to play.
“(Mike) Gordon dominated the game,” offered UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team had
won 21 of its previous 24 home contests. “He surprised me how well he shot the ball. He is like any
good player who gets into a rhythm and gains confidence. We missed a ton of easy shots and were
on our heels throughout most of the game.”
Dwayne Jackson added 10 points off the bench for the Bearcats, who shot 55.6 percent from
the field on 25-of-45 attempts. Hastings and Connelly netted nine points each, as UAlbany lost for
the just second time at home this season.
“There was definitely something missing from top to bottom (today),” said Lillis, who recorded
his third career double-double. “We have an inexperienced team with not enough leadership. | am
not really concerned with | did, because | hate losing.”
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
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January 11, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
PARKER AND O’RILEY ATOP HEPTATHLON AFTER FIRST DAY AT ARMY’S CROWELL OPEN
West Point, N.Y. — UAlbany’s David Parker (Niskayuna) and Kevin O’Riley rank first and second in the men’s
heptathlon after the first day of competition at the Crowell Open hosted by Army at the Gillis Field House.
Parker, who has 2,749 points after four events, won the high jump with a height of 6-feet, 5-inches. He
also came in second in the shot put with a toss of 36-9.75 and second in long jump (22-0.75). O'Riley was first
in the long jump with a leap of 22-feet, 5.75-inches and has 2,529 total points) after day one. In addition, he
tied for third in the high jump (5-6.50).
Nick Jones (Shenendehowa) is in ninth place with 1,700 points. Jones’ best showing came in the high
jump. The heptathlon finishes on Saturday with the 60-meter high hurdles, pole vault, and 1,000-meter run.
VALERIE MAIGNAN PLACES SIXTH IN PENTATHLON AT ARMY’S CROWELL OPEN
West Point, N.Y. — UAlbany’s Valerie Maignan finished in sixth place in the pentathlon at Army’s Crowell Open
on Friday afternoon at the Gillis Field House.
Maignan, a senior, posted a pair of third-place efforts in the high jump and long jump in accumulating
2,854 points. She cleared the bar at 4-feet, 11-inches and posted a leap of 16-11.25. Maignan came in fourth
in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.75 seconds. Sacred Heart’s Sarana Hyatt won the competition with
3,163 points.
@ oc aic.
Men’s Heptathion
1. David Parker (UAlbany) 2,739; 2. Kevin O’Riley (UAlbany) 2,529; 3. Craig Aman (Army) 2,339; 4. Jeff Balka
(Army) 2,319; 5. Matt Ratajcak (Ramapo) 2,246; 6. Brandon Lewis (Army) 1,968; 7. Zach Batcho (Army) 1,964;
8. David Linder (Army) 1,701; 9. Nick Jones (UAlbany) 1,700.
Women’s Pentathlon
1. Sarana Hyatt (Sacred Heart) 3,163; 2. Paulett Baldwin (Lenman) 3,133; 3. Melissa Kostan (Sacred Heart)
3,085; 4. Bonnie Killis (Sacred Heart) 2,960; 5. Brianne Hudak (Sacred Heart) 2,942; 6. Valerie Maignan
(UAlbany) 2,854; 7. Tonya Stallard (Army) 2,351; 8. Rama Bah (Lehman) 2,338; 9. Ashely Sorensen (Army)
1,953.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
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January 9, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
UALBANY ENDS ROAD LOSING STREAK WITH 80-64 WIN IN AMERICA EAST PLAY
Stony Brook, N.Y. - Brian Lillis had 19 points and Brent Wilson added 18 to pace five players in double figures
in leading UAlbany to an 80-64 victory over Stony Brook in America East Conference play on Wednesday
evening at Stony Brook Arena. The Great Danes snapped a six-game road losing streak and posted
consecutive wins for the first time since November.
UAlbany (7-8, AE 2-1) had its 21-point halftime lead sliced to 46-34 when Emanuel Neto made a
baseline jumper. But the Great Danes regrouped with 11 of the game's next 13 points. Jon lati, who had 11
points off the bench, sank a long-range jumper to ignite that stretch. Wilson, who equaled a career-high with
six 3-pointers, went long distance for a 57-36 lead midway through the stanza.
Stony Brook (4-11, AE 1-2) made one more run at the lead behind the play of Ricky Lucas, who had 15
points. Chris Martin's three-pointer closed the gap to 65-55 with 2:58 remaining. UAlbany used the free throw
line to hold off the comeback attempt. Martin and Demetrius Young tallied 12 and 10 points, respectively. The
Great Danes' Jerel Hastings had a career game with 11 points and nine rebounds. Brian Connelly was the fifth
player in twin figures with 11.
"We played unselfish basketball with great effort in the first half,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown,
whose team last won an away game on November 14. “In the second half, we probably played too much zone
and kind of put it in cruise control. Brent Wilson shot the ball well and we got to the line. It's nice to get a road
win."
The first half began with seven lead changes over the opening five minutes. Young, who scored 10 in
the period, gave Stony Brook a 10-7 advantage. But the Great Danes came back with 13 unanswered fueled
y Wilson's long-range shooting. Wilson, a 6'8" forward, put his team ahead with a 3-pointer from the right
wing, and later dialed up another one from beyond the arc.
"Jon (lati) and | love it when other teams play zone,” said Wilson, who last made six three-pointers
against Sacred Heart on Nov. 21, 2006. “It's just good to get a win on the road and good to go home 2-1 (in
the league)."
UAlbany later led 26-16, but stretched out that margin with nine consecutive points. Hastings began
that spurt with a baseline jumper. Tim Ambrose canned a 3-pointer from the left wing to end the run. lati
pushed the lead to 38-18 when he beat the shot clock with a 23-footer from left of the key.
“That's the way we need to play,” said lati, wno scored in double figures for the first time in one month.
“We need to have a sense of urgency all the time. Our zone (defense) kept them off balance. We did a good
job of finding the gaps and throwing skip passes against their zone."
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
January 4, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
ALBAN
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ANNOUNCES THREE RECRUITS FOR 2008-09 SEASON
Albany, N.Y. — University at Albany head women’s basketball coach Trina Patterson announced today the
signing of three recruits that will join the Great Danes in the 2008-09 season. Adrienne Jones, Kate Cronin and
Tabitha Makopondo have all signed National Letters of Intent to play for the UAlbany program.
Jones is a 5-7 point guard, hailing from Waldorf, Md. Jones, who was named one of the top-five players
in the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference by the Washington Post to start her senior season, averaged 16
points per game as a junior. She is a two-time all-conference second-team honoree and helped lead Westlake
to the 2005-06 regional championship. A member of the National Honor Society, Jones also earned the Minds
in Motion Award for the state of Maryland after posting a 3.2 grade point average.
Cronin, a 5-10 forward from Amityville, N.Y., led St. John the Baptist to the 2007 Catholic League State
Championship after averaging 8.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Cronin was a member of three straight
NSCHSGAA League championship teams and was an all-league honoree as a junior. Cronin, who also plays
for the Long Island Liberty AAU squad, is a member of the National Honor Society.
Makopondo is a 6-1 forward from Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Fla. Makopondo, who averaged
11.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game as a junior, led the Bobcats to a 26-3 record and the 2007 conference
championship. She was named to the all-area second team as a junior and was an all-conference team
member as a sophomore. She is a member of the National French Honor Society, the French Club and the
National Honor Society.
“We have another stellar recruiting class,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, now in her sixth
season at the helm of the Great Dane program. “We upgraded our caliber of student-athlete. We expect great
things from this group on the basketball court, in the classroom and in the community.”
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2008-09 UAlbany Women’s Basketball Signings
Name Pos. Ht. Hometown/High School
Kate Cronin F 5-10 Amityville, N.Y./St. John’s the Baptist
Adrienne Jones G 5-7 Waldorf, Md./Westlake
Tabitha Makopondo F 6-1 Gainesville, Fla./Buchholz
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January 6, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
®
BRIAN LILLIS LEADS UALBANY PAST VERMONT, 80-79 OT, IN AMERICA EAST BATTLE
Albany, N.Y. — Brian Lillis scored 19 of his career-high 29 points in the second half in leading UAlbany to an
80-79 overtime victory over Vermont in an America East Conference contest on Sunday afternoon at SEFCU
Arena.
In a battle that featured 18 lead changes and 10 ties, Lillis helped decide the game on the final two
possessions. After Vermont's Chad Powlovich hit a back-door layup off Marqus Blakely’s feed from the post
for a 79-78 lead, Lillis converted off a spin to his right from the left block with 10.3 seconds remaining. Blakely,
who had 23 points and eight rebounds, attempted a short jumper in the lane in the closing moments, but Lillis
deflected the shot and the clock ran out.
“(Brian) Lillis was aggressive and not passive like he was in his last game,” said UAlbany coach Will
Brown, whose team has won five of six home games this season. “He got into the flow and kept it simple. We
are not good enough as a team to not play with passion and intensity. We were aggressive even when we
made mistakes.”
Vermont (6-8, AE 1-1) trailed 42-33 early in the second half, but nearly wiped out that deficit with 10 of
the game’s next 12 points. Freshman guard Joey Accaoui buried one of his three 3-pointers to start that
outburst. Blakely, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, later hit a spinning shot in the lane and made a conventional three-
point as he was fouled scoring off a lob pass in closing the gap to 44-43 with 12:11 to play.
The contest went back and forth throughout the rest of regulation. The Catamounts, who had their
three-game win streak halted, took a 70-68 lead when Nick Vier drilled a three-point field goal from the top of
@.::: arc with 43.2 seconds to play. Lillis, a 65” senior who made 13-of-21 from the field, tied the contest on his
eam’s next possession with a 12-footer in the lane. UVM’s Mike Trimboli, who had 17 points, misfired on a
14-foot fadeaway with four seconds left.
In the extra period, Vermont’s Keith Cieplicki, wno had 11 points, made a 19-foot jumper from the left
wing off an in-bounds pass to break a 75-75 deadlock. UAlbany (6-8, AE 1-1) would eventually go back in
front. Lillis, who added seven assists, seven rebounds, three blocks and three steals, stole Powlovich’s errant
pass and later made another shot in the lane off the dribble for a 78-77 advantage with 50 seconds to play.
“This is an unbelievable win,” offered Lillis, wno has scored in double figures in 13 of 14 games this
year. “We showed we wanted to win from the beginning and that got the crowd behind us. | took my last
performance to heart.”
The Great Danes, who ended a four-game slide, trailed by as much as eight points in the opening half.
But UAlbany rallied to grab a 28-26 lead late in the period on a pair of free throws by Brian Connelly, who
finished with 15 points. Brent Wilson, a 6’8” senior, added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in
a matchup between two programs who have combined to win the last five America East titles.
“It was all the little things in this game,” explained Vermont coach Mike Lonergan, whose club was
coming off a 71-60 win over Binghamton in its conference opener. “We had unforced turnovers, missed free
throws, and didn’t get to some rebounds. But we need to play better defense in order to win. (Brian) Lillis got
into us no matter who we put on him. He is my favorite player in the league outside of my own players.”
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January 5, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
UALBANY PLACES THREE ON SPORTS NETWORK FCS ALL-AMERICA SQUAD
Philadelphia, Pa. — University at Albany’s Michael Dungey, Sam Pagano (Colonie Central) and David
McCarty (LaSalle Institute) were named today to the 2007 Sports Network FCS All-America squad.
Each player was selected in the honorable mention category. There are 116 programs that compete
at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) level.
Dungey, who was previously chosen to the College Sporting News All-America Team, led a
defensive unit that was ranked nationally in scoring defense (19.4 ppg), rushing defense (118.3 ypg)
and total defense (334.0 ypg). Dungey, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound senior who made 12 starts at both the
tackle and end positions on the defensive line, received UAlbany’s most valuable player award. He
was voted All-Northeast Conference for the third year in a row. Dungey made 44 tackles, led the
team in hits for a loss (11.5) and was second in quarterback sacks (5.5).
Pagano, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound left guard, paved the way for an offense that averaged 28.4
points, the top mark in the conference, and 362.5 total yards. The Great Danes were 20th nationally
in rushing at 208.3 yards per game. Pagano, a senior who was chosen the team’s top offensive
lineman, made his third straight appearance on the all-conference unit as a first-team selection.
McCarty, a sophomore tailback, rushed for the third-highest single-season total in team history
with 1,503 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ran for 100 or more yards in eight games, including six
consecutive times to end the season. McCarty ranked 10th in rushing (125.3 pg) and 37th in all-
urpose yards (136.2 ypg) among the FCS national leaders. He piled up 247 rushing yards, the
highest total in the program’s FCS history, against Central Connecticut State in leading UAlbany to
the Northeast Conference championship.
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January 5, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
(ALBAN
UALBANY BEGINS AMERICA EAST PLAY WITH 62-52 VICTORY AT NEW HAMPSHIRE
Durham, N.H. — Kristin Higy scored 11 of her 16 points in the final period as UAlbany rallied for a 62-
52 victory over New Hampshire, as both teams began America East Conference play on Saturday
afternoon. The Great Danes won for the first time in seven trips to Lundholm Gymnasium.
New Hampshire (3-9, AE 0-1) led 45-40 with 8:20 remaining after Denise Beliveau stole an
errant pass and hit a layup. Beliveau, a 5-foot-11 freshman, was the lone Wildcat in double figures
with 10 points. But the Great Danes responded with eight unanswered to take the lead for good.
Freshman guard Janea Aiken tallied all six of her points in that run, including a bank shot and a
basket in transition. Sherri Mikus sank a pair of foul shots for a 48-45 advantage.
After UNH’s Ashley Cerniglia connected on a baseline jumper, UAlbany (3-11, AE 1-0) ran off
nine consecutive points to take control. Sophomore guard Britney McGee, who had 11 of her 15
points in the opening half to reach twin figures for the sixth straight game, converted a fastbreak layup
to begin the decisive run. Higy, a 6-foot-1 senior who accounted for eight rebounds, four steals and
two blocks, followed with a three-point field goal and two free throws. McGee’s turnaround in the low
post completed the sequence and handed her club a 57-47 margin with 2:32 left.
"This is anew year and a new start for us,” explained UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, whose
@: won its conference opener for the second straight season by ending a 14-game road losing
streak. “We feel confident, especially in our defense. | think our defense, with the full-court press and
different looks will give teams problems."
In the first half, the Wildcats erased a 19-15 deficit with nine straight points, all from the three-
point arc. Cerniglia, a senior, nailed back-to-back long-range jumpers to put her team ahead.
Racheal Fowler, a 6’2” center who totaled eight points and seven rebounds, later scored in the lane
for a 26-21 lead. UAlbany tied the contest at 26 apiece by halftime as McGee buried a three-pointer
and Gia Sanders scored off an in-bounds pass.
Sanders finished with nine points and nine rebounds, while Mikus scored nine off the bench.
The Great Danes, who ended a nine-game skid in their previous outing on Dec. 28, held UNH to
29.5-percent shooting and forced 27 turnovers with its sticky pressure defense. The Wildcats, who
led the conference in three-point shooting entering the contest, made 6-of-18 from the arc, including
O-of-7 in the second half.
‘It's good to go into conference play and get a win,” said Higy, who made 5-of-9 from the field
to score in double figures for the ninth time this season. “We have a long break before our next game
(Jan.13), So we're just going to keep working hard and improving."
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January 3, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
NEW HAMPSHIRE RALLIES TO DEFEAT UALBANY, 75-66, IN AMERICA EAST OPENER
Durham, N.H. - Tyrece Gibbs scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half in leading New Hampshire to a 75-
66 victory over UAlbany in the America East Conference opener for both teams on Thursday evening at
Lundholm Gymnasium.
New Hampshire (4-8, AE 1-0) trailed 53-47 with less than seven minutes remaining, but then went on a
13-2 run to take control. Gibbs, a 6'2" junior, tied the contest with a 3-pointer from the right corner. Freshman
guard Alvin Abreu, who had 11 of his 14 points in the final stanza, later drilled a three-pointer from the top of
the arc for a 56-54 lead. |
UAlbany (5-8, AE 0-1) was still within 60-58 when Jon lati nailed a three-point shot. But the Wildcats,
who ended a seven-game losing streak, came up with a pair of three-point plays that decided the outcome.
Abreu, who played all 40 minutes due to a short bench, banked in a long-range jumper from the left side with
2:04 left. Eric Gilchrese then made a conventional three-point play when he was fouled as he scored off his
missed free throw for a 66-58 advantage.
Gilchrese, who had 18 points, made 13-of-15 from the line. Mike Christensen was the fourth UNH
player in double figures with 16. Brian Lillis had 14 points for the Great Danes, who have dropped seven of
eight road games this season. Brian Connelly and Josh Martin added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
“They spread us out and hit some three-point field goals,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose
team had won its previous three league openers. “(Alvin) Abreu's bank shot for three was a back-breaker. We
didn't compete at the level we needed to win games on the road in our conference. We will have to learn from
@ and get tougher."
The opening half produced runs by both teams and resulted in UAlbany leading by one at the break.
New Hampshire led 18-14 on a three-point field goal by Christensen, a 6-foot-8 senior who scored 15 in the
period on 6-of-9 shooting. The Great Danes responded with 10 unanswered. Connelly canned a pair of shots
to put his team ahead. UAlbany pushed out to a 32-22 advantage on Martin's two free throws. But UNH
followed with 12 of the game's next 14 points to wipe out that deficit. Christensen converted on the baseline to
draw his team even at 34 apiece.
“The effort level of our team was not good,” said Connelly, who made 5-of-9 from the field. “The new
guys do not know what it takes to win a championship and the old guys have not done a good job of teaching
them. Their guard penetration bothered us, they got into the middle pretty much when they wanted."
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