Score: UAlbany 62, Columbia 58
Location: Levien Gymnasium – New York, N.Y.
Records: UAlbany (3-10), Columbia (2-9)
Short Story: The University at Albany women's basketball team will enter 2019 with a win, after pushing by instate foe Columbia, 62-58, on Saturday afternoon in New York City.
Highlights:
- Alexi Schecter hit a personal-best eight free throws and notched a career-high 14 points.
- Kyara Frames recorded her eight consecutive game scoring in double figures (16 points).
- Frames matched a career-high in rebounds with seven.
- Chyanna Canada was two boards shy of a double-double (12 points, 8 rebounds).
- The Great Danes out rebounded the Lions, 46-26.
- UAlbany posted 22 points in the paint and 12 second chance points.
- Columbia shot 91.7 percent (11-12) from the free throw line.
- The Lions went 0-7 in the first quarter from behind the arc.
Recap: The Great Danes handed Columbia a 62-58 loss on Saturday afternoon in their final non-conference tilt of the season. UAlbany is 2-1 in its last three contest and will look to carry its momentum into the New Year
Frames and Columbia's Madison Hardy earned a game-high 16 points apiece. Canada brought in a game-best eight rebounds and chipped in with 12 points of her own.
The Great Danes jumped out to a 9-0 lead just 2:34 into the opening frame. Forster broke open the scoring with a layup before Amanda Kantzy and Schecter added to the score sheet on the following two possessions.
UAlbany would hold Columbia to just eight points in the quarter, carrying a 13-8 advantage after 10 minutes of action.
The Lion's outscored the Great Danes 10-4 in the paint during the second quarter. UAlbany forced four turnovers in the second half, helping them carry a 25-21 advantage into halftime.
After trading baskets early in the third quarter, the Lions found themselves on a 7-2 run, cutting the difference to 35-32.
Frames hit back-to-back three pointers to end the home team's scoring tun and put her team ahead, 41-34.
Columbia took the final shot of the third frame after a steal gave the possession back to the home team. Hardy drilled a triple with one second left, but the Great Danes held a slight 41-37 edge heading into the final quarter.
The game saw its first tie in the fourth. Imani Whittington's layup would knot the score at 41-41 with 8:12 to play.
Patricia Conroy would soon give the visitors back the lead with a three-pointer, but the score would soon be tied at 46-46 and 54-54.
Despite struggling from the line early in the season, UAlbany knocked down its free throws when it counted most. The squad sank 8-of-their-10 free throws in the final 29 seconds of the contest.
Schecter would connect on her final two shots of the game with three seconds left, making it a two-possession game and putting the Lions out of reach
Next Up: The Great Danes kick off conference action on January 2 when they welcome Binghamton to the SEFCU Arena for a 7 p.m. contest.
