Shereesha Richards Surpasses 2,000 Points, UAlbany Women's Basketball Defeats Vermont 72-43
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ALBANY, N.Y. – Shereesha Richards added another record to her incredible career on Saturday afternoon, passing the 2,000-point mark as the UAlbany women's basketball team won its conference home opener 72-43 over Vermont.
“It feels good, I am so happy I got it and it is a great honor to reach that milestone,” said Richards of earning 2,000 points. “Coach Abe had me fix my shots, and I just had to settle down in the second half.”
Richards led UAlbany (11-3, 2-0 AE) with her third consecutive double-double with 25 points and 15 rebounds. She now stands with 2,002 points in her career, passing the 2000-mark with a putback layup with 8:43 remaining in the fourth quarter.
With the milestone, Richards becomes the first UAlbany women's basketball player to reach 2,000 points. She also moved into ninth in scoring in America East history.
“I wanted to start crying, I feel like a proud parent,” said UAlbany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. “Watching her go through four years and already scoring that many in just the second game in-conference is pretty amazing. She is so humble and she has a great work ethic and is great, she only cares about the team.”
“I love being [Shereesha's] teammate, she is not selfish about anything or cocky, she is just great,” said Zakiya Saunders.
Holding its opponent to 21.2% shooting, UAlbany kept Vermont (5-11, 0-3 AE) to 11 points or less in three of the four quarters. UAlbany outrebounded Vermont 61-27 and led for the last 38 minutes of the game.
With the victory, UAlbany has won its last six conference home openers, all under Abrahamson-Henderson's tenure, and improves to 4-0 at home. UAlbany has also won its last three games.
Along with Richards, Saunders also picked up a double-double, her first of the season, with 14 points and 10 assists. Imani Tate finished 16 points, seven rebounds and three steals off the bench. Bose Aiyalogbe had a career-high eight points and five rebounds while Heather Forster grabbed eight rebounds and netted four points.
For Vermont, Andreana Thomas concluded with 10 points and three steals. Four other players each had five points for the Catamounts.
UAlbany went to the basket early on against the Vermont zone. With a baseline drive by Aiyalogbe and a putback layup by Tiana-Jo Carter, UAlbany took an early 7-3 lead in the opening four minutes.
At 7-5, UAlbany found its success off transition and screens. Saunders ran the floor as Richards added two layups on a 12-3 run to finish up the quarter, giving UAlbany a 19-8 advantage.
Both offenses had a slow start to the second quarter. Andreana Thomas drew contact twice on shots and scored a quick seven points. UAlbany kept the advantage with layups from Aiyalogbe and Saunders as the Great Danes led 29-17 with five minutes left.
After three minutes of no scoring by either team, Tate led the charge for UAlbany in the final minute with two jumpers off screens. Saunders added a layup at the buzzer to give UAlbany a 37-19 lead at halftime.
UAlbany's transition offense worked early with three quick baskets in the opening 1:30. The team traded baskets with Vermont as Gracia Hudson got a couple of field goals countered by points from Richards.
With 5:53 left in the 3rd, three different players contributed to an 8-0 run, capped by a steal next to the sideline and fast break score by Tate, to send UAlbany up 55-27. As the quarter wound down, Richards kept getting fouled and hit free throws as the Great Danes led 61-34 after three.
On a missed Forster backend free throw, Richards grabbed the rebound and put the ball back into the net to reach the 2,000-point milestone. After two free throws from Thomas, she hit another layup to make it 68-36 UAlbany. Richards subbed out seconds later to a standing ovation in front of 1,362 at the SEFCU Arena.
Vermont chipped away at the deficit with a game-ending 7-0 run, but UAlbany held the lead in the rest of the quarter to earn the 72-43 victory.
UAlbany will play its next game on the road, taking on New Hampshire in Durham on Wednesday, January 13th at noon.
