University at Albany Great Danes

Score: UAlbany 72, Manhattan 68
 
Location: Draddy Gymnasium | Riverdale, N.Y. 
 
Records: UAlbany (2-0, 0-0 America East), Manhattan (0-2, 0-0 Metro)
 
Short Story: Freshman Tyler Jones scored a game-high 23 points to lead the University at Albany men's basketball team to a 72-68 road victory over Manhattan Thursday night at Draddy Gymnasium. Zach Matulu recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Ollie Engen contributed 12 points and eight assists as the Great Danes improved to 2-0 on the season.
 
Key Stats: 

• Tyler Jones led all scorers with 23 points, adding three assists and three steals.
• Zach Matulu recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, including three three-pointers.
• Ollie Engen finished with 12 points and a game-high eight assists.
• U-Mier Graham added nine points, eight rebounds and four assists.
• Papa Kounta contributed seven points and six rebounds.
• UAlbany scored 40 points in the second half and finished with 15 assists and 10 steals.

 
How it Happened: 

• UAlbany opened the game with five consecutive points, highlighted by a three-pointer from Zach Matulu at 19:12, before Tyler Jones connected from beyond the arc at 18:13 to give the Great Danes an 8-2 lead.
• Jones continued to produce offensively, converting four free throws during the first five minutes to help UAlbany maintain its advantage and extend its lead to 18-14.
• U-Mier Graham and Ollie Engen combined for consecutive baskets, including an assist from Graham to Engen, as UAlbany built a 24-17 advantage.
• Engen added two more baskets, including a driving layup at 7:28, to give the Great Danes their largest lead of the half at 28-19.
• Manhattan responded with a run to cut the deficit to one, but Jones converted two free throws with 2:01 remaining to restore a 32-29 UAlbany lead.
• Manhattan scored the final basket of the half with 1:43 remaining, sending the teams into the break with UAlbany ahead 32-31.
• Manhattan opened the second half with a basket to cut the lead to one, but Abdoulaye Fall answered with a driving layup at 18:57. Jones followed with a layup at 17:55, and Matulu and Jones added consecutive baskets, including a three-pointer from Jones, to give UAlbany a 41-35 lead.
• After Manhattan closed the gap, Graham converted a free throw and Kounta added a jumper to keep the Great Danes in front. Engen added a free throw at 11:51, but Manhattan scored eight consecutive points to pull within one at 45-44.
• Engen made another free throw before Jones scored on a driving layup at 9:19. Manhattan tied the game at 48-48, but Jones converted two free throws and Matulu added a pull-up jumper to put UAlbany back in front.
• Matulu connected on two three-pointers during a key stretch, including back-to-back triples at 6:28 and 5:39, to help the Great Danes build a 58-52 advantage. Engen followed with a driving layup at 4:45 to maintain a six-point cushion.
• Graham added a layup at 4:20, and Jones scored on a driving layup at 3:00 to keep UAlbany ahead by six. Manhattan answered with consecutive baskets to trim the margin to two.
• Jones delivered a dunk with 1:57 remaining to make it 66-62. After Manhattan pulled within two again, Graham converted two free throws with 1:08 left, and Kounta added a free throw to extend the lead to 69-64.
• Graham made two more free throws with 21 seconds remaining, and Jones added the final point at the line with 12 seconds left as UAlbany held on for the 72-68 victory.

 
Next Up: The Great Danes head back home on Sunday, November 8^th for the second day of the America East-Metro Conference Basketball Challenge. The Great Danes will take on the Merrimack Warriors at 2:00 pm in Broadview Center.
 
Social Central:  Stay up to date with UAlbany men's basketball by following the team on X (@UAlbanyMBB), Instagram (@ualbany_mbb), and the team's official Facebook (UAlbany Men's Basketball) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.