12-Seed UAlbany Women's Basketball Battles to the Finish at 4-Seed Syracuse, Ends Historic Season in NCAA Second Round after 76-59 Defeat
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The 12-seed UAlbany women's basketball team had its greatest season in program history come to a close on Sunday afternoon in the Carrier Dome as the Great Danes fell to 4-seed Syracuse 76-59 in the NCAA Second Round.
UAlbany earned its first-ever DI NCAA Tournament victory as a program this year and tied its program record single season wins total, finishing with a 28-5 record. The Great Danes also made history as the first basketball team in the America East, women's or men's, to win five consecutive conference tournament titles.
“What I am feeling is proud, what I am feeling is, 'they're amazing,' and I don't want them to have their heads down,” said UAlbany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. “I want them to feel blessed that the things we have done at the University at Albany are pretty amazing. These players that we've recruited have really created a dynasty.”
The collegiate careers of Shereesha Richards and Erin Coughlin, the two UAlbany seniors, concluded on Sunday. The two helped UAlbany to a 107-23 record to stand as the winningest class in program history, including a 60-4 tally in America East play and four America East Tournament titles.
“I'm just happy that we made it this far, a lot of people didn't believe that we'd make it this far,” said Richards. “And we have, we beat the odds. It's sad that we lost, but we have accomplished so much this year, and there is more positive to look on than there is negative.”
“It is never easy knowing it is your last time suiting up,” said Coughlin. “What we've accomplished as a team is amazing, and I'm so proud to be part of this team. I feel bless and I'm so proud of all of them, and I love my teammates.”
After leading for most of the first quarter, UAlbany trailed Syracuse (27-7) by seven at the half. With Syracuse building its lead as high as 18 in the third, UAlbany chipped away the deficit to nine in the middle of the fourth but was not able to bridge the gap.
Richards led UAlbany with her 10th double-double of the season off 23 points and 14 rebounds. The three-time America East Player of the Year has finished with 2,440 points, second all-time in conference women's basketball history and first among all UAlbany basketball players, women's or men's.
Coughlin racked up a strong performance with six points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. With 139 career three-point field goals, Coughlin finishes her career ranked fifth in program history in that category.
As a team, UAlbany outrebounded Syracuse 43-37 and edged the Orange in assists 14-13. Syracuse shot 39.3% from the field compared to UAlbany's 33.3%.
Imani Tate finished with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Heather Forster scored UAlbany's final seven points in the first half and finished with nine points and five rebounds, while Tiana-Jo Carter earned eight points and a block. Zakiya Saunders concluded with two points, four rebounds and five assists.
For Syracuse, which advances to the Sweet 16 in the Sioux Falls regional next weekend, Brittney Sykes led the Orange with 24 points, five steals and five rebounds. Alexis Peterson tallied 22 points and six assists while Bria Day had four points, 10 rebounds and two blocks off the bench.
Each side employed a pressure zone on defense to begin. Richards drew two early fouls on Briana Day and put UAlbany ahead with free throws. Syracuse fired away from three as UAlbany primarily attacked the paint, leading to a fastbreak layup from Tate for an early 7-6 UAlbany advantage at the first media.
Carter was the target underneath for UAlbany the next couple of possession as she knocked down a pair of layups as the run extended to 6-0 to give UAlbany an 11-6 lead. Syracuse kept up its attack from three as Maggie Morrison hit a pair of threes from the right wing. The home team added three more points off a Cornelia Fondren free throw and a steal and score from Sykes to complete the 9-0 run. Saunders ended the run off a timeout with a jumper, with Peterson countering with a fastbreak jumper to give the Orange a 17-13 lead after one quarter.
As UAlbany adjusted the zone to keep Syracuse around the arc, the Orange got to the free throw line five times and made all five, adding a Sykes layup off an inbound for a quick 7-2 run and a 24-15 lead, going to 27-17 after another Peterson three. UAlbany kept the gameplan with play in the paint, leading to Richards and Carter baskets as UAlbany pulled to within six at 27-21 with 6:07 left in the 2nd.
Continuing the quick possessions and the full court press, Syracuse rebuilt its lead to 11 twice with five points from Peterson. Forster got free underneath as Syracuse double teamed Richards to free her. In the final minute, Forster hit two layups, totaling seven in the final 3:12 of the half, to pull UAlbany within seven down 40-33 at the half.
Into the third, a 7-2 personal run by Sykes, capped by a jump step layup underneath, built Syracuse's lead to 12 a couple of minutes in. Coughlin buried a corner three to stop the streak and pull UAlbany within nine.
After an exchange, UAlbany was held without a field goal for over four minutes as the Syracuse press forced turnovers at the halfcourt line. Peterson hit a couple of baskets during a 10-1 Syracuse run over a period of five minutes. Late baskets from Forster and Tate made it 61-45 Syracuse after three quarters.
UAlbany kept fighting and quacking came out to a 4-0 run to begin the fourth off two Tate free throws and a Richards layup. After Syracuse rebuilt the lead to 14, Richards got fouled three times in a row on shots to head to the line and hit five to bring UAlbany back within single digits at 64-55 with 5:28 remaining.
UAlbany did not get closer to the lead the rest of the game as Syracuse hit six free throws in succession. Tate sprinted quick, drew contact and hit two free throws to pull UAlbany within 13, but did not get closer. More late free throws helped Syracuse seal the game for the 76-59 victory.
A crowd of 3,842 fans, including many UAlbany faithful, were in attendance for the game.
