ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany men's basketball team will continue its first road trip of the America East schedule with a visit to defending conference champion UMBC on Saturday.
The Great Danes (5-13, 0-3 AE) last visited UMass Lowell in their first America East road game of the season. Despite leading by seven at halftime thanks to shooting over 70% from the floor in the first half, UAlbany saw its lead evaporate in the second, falling in their third straight conference game 84-72. UAlbany last started 0-3 in league play in the 2016-17 season, dropping the first three conference games to UMass Lowell, Stony Brook, and New Hampshire, before rebounding to with 10 of their next 13.
UMBC last hosted Binghamton, rolling the Bearcats 68-49. The Retrievers, who started the season 4-1, have split their last four games. UMBC returns three starters and nine letter-winners from last year's championship squad, but do not return leading scorer Jarius Lyles. The Retrievers were picked to finish third in the America East in the preseason coaches' poll, behind Vermont and Hartford.
Last season, UMBC upset Vermont in the America East title game before drawing top overall seed Virginia in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Retrievers defeated the Cavaliers 74-54, becoming the first 16-seed in men's basketball history to upset a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament. UMBC's Cinderella run ended in the tournament's second round with a loss against Kansas St.
UMBC also debuted a new home venue last season, the UMBC Event Center, moving away from the RAC Arena where the team had been playing its games. The new arena, which has seating for up to 6,000, hosted its first game on February 3, 2018 against Vermont. UAlbany played in the Event Center for the first time on February 18, 2018.
UAlbany remains the only winless team in the America East, currently in ninth place at 0-3. Vermont has overtaken idle Stony Brook in the wins column, with both teams still undefeated and on five-game winning streaks. UMBC is tied for fourth with UMass Lowell at 2-2.
Following the game against UMBC, the Great Danes will return to SEFCU Arena to host Stony Brook on Wednesday, January 23.
THE OUTLOOK: UMBC (10-9, 2-2 AE) | Saturday, January 18, 1:00 p.m. | Baltimore, Md.
Last we met: L, 68-60, February 18, 2018, Baltimore, Md.
Tale of the Tape
- UAlbany is 2-6 on the road this season
- UMBC is 6-3 at home
- UAlbany split with UMBC last season
- UMBC defeated Manhattan 75-52; UAlbany won 77-67
- UMBC defeated Maine 61-52; UAlbany lost 66-62
- UMBC lost to UMass Lowell 74-63; UAlbany lost 84-72
- UMBC leads the America East in scoring defense (64.4), turnover margin (+3.89), A/TO ratio (1.10), and steals (8.53)
- Ahmad Clark leads in steals (4.3) and ranks second in scoring (18.6)
- Cameron Healy leads in 3FG made (3.2) and 3FG% (.407)
Series History: UAlbany leads 24-9
2017-18 Record: 25-11, (12-4 AE); second place AE, AE champions, NCAA Second Round
Top Offensive Player: Joe Sherburne, Gr., F, (14.6 / 4.4 / 3.1)
