Tate, Richards Double-Doubles Lead UAlbany WBB to Road Win at UNH 74-48
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DURHAM, N.H. – With nine Great Danes scoring, the UAlbany women's basketball team, fueled by double-doubles from Imani Tate and Shereesha Richards, earned a 74-48 road victory at New Hampshire on Wednesday night.
“We made shots this game, everybody did,” said UAlbany coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. “We had balanced scoring, we moved the ball really well against their zone; our defense always works, but offensively, we were a lot better tonight.”
UAlbany (16-7, 9-1 AE) used a late 14-0 first half run against UNH (14-8, 6-4 AE) and never looked back, leading the entire second half by double digits.
With the win, UAlbany is alone in first place in the America East at 9-1, a half-game up on Maine at 8-1.
Tate finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the year and her sixth double-digit scoring game in her last seven. Richards earned her eighth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds, adding three steals.
“Today, it was just all about defense,” said Tate. “As a team, we were all moving the ball around really well and taking the open shots.”
Zakiya Saunders had an all-around strong day with 10 points, four boards, six assists and three steals. Sarah Royals scored 12 points with two assists, moving into 16th all-time in UAlbany scoring history with 910 points.
For UNH, Kaylee Kilpatrick finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Elizabeth Belanger scored eight points.
UAlbany connected on its first two possessions, with Saunders hitting a mid-range jumper and Tiana-Jo Carter making a turnaround layup. Saunders later saved an errant pass, broke through a double team and hit the runner to send UAlbany up 6-2 in the opening minutes.
UNH tied the game at 6-6 off a couple a layups against the UAlbany zone. With the crowd getting loud, Tate banked a jumper. After a UNH free throw, Saunders added a mid-range jumper to make it 10-7 UAlbany after 7:07 gone.
The home team went to the paint and hit a couple of jump shots to put itself ahead. The other way, Cassandra Edwards hit a floater in the paint to put UAlbany back up. Two minutes later, Royals netted a jumper from near the baseline for a 16-11 UAlbany lead with 10:20 remaining.
After UNH pulled to within one, the teams went back and forth, with UAlbany holding the lead. A Kaylee Kilpatrick three made it 20-18 UAlbany with 6:12 left.
The other way, Erin Coughlin buried a kick-out three to start a big run for UAlbany. While the zone held on defense, Carter hit a jump shot while fouled, then Richards forced a turnover, leading to a Coughlin transition three. Richards and Carter added layups as the run for UAlbany went to 14-0 over a course of four minutes. The Great Danes led 34-18 with 2:28 left in the half.
Following a Kristen Anderson three to break the UAlbany run, the Great Danes pressed hard in the final minute and change. Royals hit free throws after being fouled as Richards added with a layup and a free throw to send UAlbany into the locker room up 39-21.
UAlbany kept with the press in the start of the second half, allowing just one basket in the period's opening four minutes. With 16:05 left, Tate stole the ball, passed to a running Saunders. Running, Saunders passed to Royals for the wide open layup. UAlbany led 47-24 with 15 minutes remaining.
The home team used two Kilpatrick jumpers to start a run for the home team. UNH attacked in transition and drew contact to get free throws, piecing together a 7-0 run. Tate ended the streak with a couple of baskets, making it 51-31 with 10 minutes left.
UAlbany traded layups for UNH free throws as the Great Danes held a strong lead. A third Coughlin three from the corner made it 62-36 with 7:20 left.
UNH went on an 8-1 streak in the next 3:10, which was countered by a personal 4-0 run by Tate. Jessica Fequiere and Bose Aiyalogbe each scored late as UAlbany took the 74-48 victory.
UAlbany returns to the Capital District for a three-game homestand, taking on UMass Lowell on Saturday, February 7th at 5 p.m. to kick off the Big Purple Growl at the SEFCU Arena.
