Score: UAlbany 64, Eastern Illinois 62
 
Location: McBrayer Arena in Richmond, Ky.
 
Records: UAlbany (1-5, 0-0 America East) |Eastern Illinois (1-5, 0-0 OVC)
 
Short Story: The University at Albany men's basketball team collected its first win of the season, and the first win of Dwayne Killings' career Wednesday afternoon against Eastern Illinois. After falling behind by one point, the game was won when freshman Justin Neely hit a go-ahead three with 1.4 seconds remaining on the clock.
 
Key Stat Lines

• Neely's game winning three was his first of the season, and his collegiate career. The freshman finished with eight points and four rebounds.
• Matt Cerruti led the team with 14 points. He finished with three rebounds, two steals, and an assist. He was named to the EKU Invitational All-Tournament Team for his performance.
• De'Vondre Perry (10) and Trey Hutcheson (12) also finished in double figures. Perry went 3-6 from deep, with Hutcheson going 3-7. Perry also grabbed five rebounds and had two assists.
• UAlbany shot 44.2% (23-52) from the field, and 38.1% (8-21) from three. EIU shot 40.3% (25-62) from the field and 53.9% (9-17) from three.
• EIU out-rebounded UAlbany 35-30.
• UAlbany led for 25:29 throughout the game, EIU led for 12:08 – all of which was in the second half.

How it Happened:

• Perry got the scoring started for the Great Danes, sinking a three on the first offensive possession to set the tone early. He scored the first five points of the game after sinking a midrange jumper on the next possession.
• Both teams had a rough go early on from the field. UAlbany started 2-9, EIU started 2-12.
• UAlbany went over six minutes without converting from the field, hitting two free throws in that span.
• Despite a low FG% to start, UAlbany hit three of their first eight from beyond the arc.
• EIU tied the game at 15 around the seven-minute mark, the first tie since the beginning of the game. UAlbany would then go on a 12-2 run to re-establish the lead
• EIU closed the gap before the buzzer of the first half rang, ending on a 9-0 run to bring the score to 27-26 in favor of UAlbany heading into the locker room.
• Perry led UAlbany at the half with 10 points, going 2-2 from deep. Hutcheson followed with seven, hitting two from three-point range as well.
• Neely continued to rebound strong – leading the team with four going into the locker room.
• In the first half, UAlbany shot 36.0% from the field, with EIU shooting 32.4%. UAlbany shot 45.5% from deep, EIU shot 33.3%.
• The Great Danes left points on the floor, going just 4-9 from the charity stripe to start.
• UAlbany started the second half hitting three of their first four from the field.
• EIU took their first lead of the game (37-35) at the 13:55 mark of the second half thanks to a three-pointer from Charles Kashawn. EIU then went on a 7-2 to extend the lead to seven points.
• By the midway point of the second half, EIU was shooting 57.1% (8-14) from the field. At that same point, UAlbany was 0-5 from three.
• Paul Newman collected his fifth and final foul of the ballgame with 4:25 remaining in the game.
• The game came down to the wire with EUI hitting a go-ahead three with 12 seconds left on the clock to make the score 62-61. The Great Danes called timeout to draw out a play. Just before the buzzer, Perry dished it out to Neely beyond the arc. Neely hit his first three of the year to seal the win for UAlbany.

Next: The Great Danes have a week off to regroup and reset during the holiday break. The team will travel to take on Kansas State next Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. EST. Stay up to date with UAlbany men's basketball by following the team on Twitter (@UAlbanyMBB) and Instagram (@ualbany_mbb) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the season.