New Haven, Conn. - Greg Mangano had 21 points and 15 rebounds to pace five players in double figures, as Yale pulled away in the second half for a 74-53 victory over UAlbany on Monday, Dec. 6 at John J. Lee Amphitheatre.
     Yale (4-4) led 44-43 early in the final period, but then blitzed the visitors with 20 of the game's next 22 points. Mangano, a 6-foot-10 junior, tallied six unanswered to begin that decisive run, including a three-point field goal from the top of the arc. Raffi Mantilla and Porter Braswell combined to drill three consecutive 3-pointers to push the lead to double figures. Braswell canned a 20-footer from right side and Mantilla hit one from the left corner for a 14-point margin.
     The Bulldogs, who earlier this season upset Boston College on the road, advanced the lead to 70-45 with just over eight minutes to play. Jeremiah Kreisberg, a freshman center who had 10 points, scored off an inbounds pass, before Reggie Willhite converted in transition from Mantilla. Rhett Anderson and Kreisberg added back-to-back baskets to compete the outburst.
     "They shot the ball well and had an extra pep in their step," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose squad slipped to 4-6 on the season. "I was disappointed with our second half and the loss, but we had nothing left in our tank with every passing minute. We were emotionally and physically drained from last Saturday's game."
     In the opening period, the Bulldogs scored the first seven points. Willhite canned a three-pointer from right of the key before Mangano connecting a driving bank shot. UAlbany was still trailing 18-12 after Mangano scored off inbounds pass, before drawing even at 22 apiece. Luke Devlin buried a 3-pointer, plus Tim Ambrose scored with an offensive rebound and split two free throws in that span.
     The contest remained deadlocked until Mantilla, who finished with 12 points off the bench, was fouled on a driving layup to give Yale a 33-30 lead after his team broke defensive pressure. Braswell's long-range jumper from the left side helped the Bulldogs to a 36-31 lead at the intermission.
     "The difference was our defense and rebounding in the second half," explained Yale coach James Jones, whose team avenged last season's 21-point loss at UAlbany. "We got contributions from everybody. It was a great team effort."
     Ambrose had 15 points, while Mike Black added 10 for the Great Danes, who were held to 32.8-percent shooting, including 8-of-33 after the break. Yale's Braswell finished with 14 points and Willhite had 11.

Yale 74, UAlbany 53 (12/6/10 at John J. Lee Amphitheater, New Haven, Conn.)

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Albany 53

Yale 74