Score: #8 UAlbany 72, #1 Vermont 75

Location: Patrick Gymnasium in Burlington, Vermont
 
Records: UAlbany (13-19, 5-11 America East) | Vermont (26-6, 15-1 AE)
 
Short Story: The University at Albany men's basketball team fought hard in a back-and-forth game with top-seeded Vermont in the Quarterfinals of the America East Playoffs, but ultimately fell on the road to the Catamounts, 75-72.

Key Stat Lines

• Sebastian Thomas led all scorers with 31 points, going 11-16 from the field, 4-6 from three, and a perfect 5-5 from the charity stripe.
• Muneer Newton led the team in rebounds with nine, also finishing with 10 points.
• Amar'e Marshall led the team with six assists and finished second in scoring with 13.
• UAlbany shot 46.6% (27-58) from the field and 36.4% (8-22) from three.
• The Great Danes out-rebounded Vermont 34-34

 
Head Coach Dwayne Killings: "It's the hardest part of the job, the end of the journey. I was really proud of our kids. We believed. To come in here and try to win a game against one of the best mid-major programs in the country…We gave them everything."

How it Happened:

• UAlbany jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead thanks to long balls from Marcus Filien and Sebastian Thomas. The Great Danes remained ahead, 10-5, at the first media timeout with Thomas starting the game 3-3 from the field.
• Another three from Thomas was called in to review as the shot clock expired with just over 12 minutes remaining. The basket counted, increasing the UAlbany lead to 20-14.
• The lead increased to 24-14, but the Catamounts launched a 10-0 run to bring themselves right back into the game by the next stoppage in play with seven minutes remaining.
• Both teams sat with 30 points at the final break of the first half. UAlbany's Thomas was restricted to the sidelines due to foul trouble midway through the half, taking away the Great Danes' top scorer.
• A 7-1 run put the Great Danes back on top as the first half came to a close. UAlbany shot 50% (14-28_ from the field and 42.9% (6-14) from three in the first half. Vermont shot 38.5% (10-26) from the field and went just 1-8 from deep.
• UAlbany out-rebounded Vermont, 18-12, in the first half, but also led in turnovers, 7-4.
• Vermont started the second half hot, taking a 45-44 lead after going on a 14-7 run over the first five minutes.
• Muneer Newton threw down a monster dunk on a fast break to tie the game at 49 with just under 12 minutes remaining.
• UVM took a five-point lead, 58-53, with 8:23 on the clock. And and-one from Thomas and a layup from Newton tied the game at 58 by the next TV break.
• Back-and-forth play kept the ballgame tied, the scoreboard reading 64-64 with 3:43 remaining.
• The Great Danes held a one-point advantage, 70-69, as the clock dropped under a minute to play. Vermont's TJ Long hit a three to put the Catamounts out front, 72-70, with 30 seconds remaining. The Great Danes called timeout after crossing half court with 26.7 on the clock.
• The Great Danes were unable to convert on the offensive side of the court, allowing Vermont to close the game with free throws.
• UAlbany shot 43.3% (13-30) from the field and 25% (2-8) from three in the second half. Vermont shot 48.3% (14-29) from the field and 37.5% (3-8) from deep.

 
 
Next: Following the loss, the 2023-24 season comes to a close for the Great Danes. Stay up to date with UAlbany men's basketball by following the team on X (@UAlbanyMBB) and Instagram (@ualbany_mbb) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.