UAlbany Women’s Basketball Begins ’14 in Long Island to Play Hofstra
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HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Great Danes kick off 2014 with a Wednesday matinee on New Year’s Day, taking on Hofstra at 2 p.m. at the Mack Sports Complex in Long Island.
America East-member UAlbany will play its first game since December 22nd, a 64-50 home win over Colgate to snap a two-game losing streak, entering this contest at 9-2 overall. Hofstra, a member of the Colonial Athletic Association, comes into Wednesday at 4-6 after a 64-62 road defeat to Central Connecticut State on Monday for its third-straight loss.
Tickets for the game in Hempstead are $ 10 for adults and $ 6 for youth and seniors on Hofstra’s athletics website.
UAlbany is looking for its first win in the series, having fallen to Hofstra in all three meetings. The two schools last met on December 20, 2010, with Hofstra winning 90-60 at SEFCU Arena.
After falling to powerhouse Duke and defeating Colgate to finish out the 2013 year, UAlbany stays in the top-10 of mid-majors, tying for #9 in the poll released December 24.
The Great Danes have defeated all in-state opponents they have faced so far this season, earning victories over Siena, Marist and Colgate. All three wins were by double digits. Dating back to last season, UAlbany has won its last 11 games against in-state opponents, last falling to a New York-based foe on November 9th, 2012 against Fordham at SEFCU Arena.
Shereesha Richards, a six-time America East Player of the Week, leads the conference with 22.9 points a game, shooting a conference-best 66.5% from the field. Sarah Royals is averaging 13.1 points a contest to stand sixth in the America East. Megan Craig, shooting over 57%, is 17th in the conference at 9.6 points a contest. UAlbany is #1 in the America East in numerous scoring categories, including scoring with 69.7 points a game, scoring margin at +8.9 and field goal percentage at 48.2%, also being #1 with 8.5 steals per game.
Hofstra, a former member of the America East that left for the CAA in 2001, has made postseason appearances twice in the past four seasons with berths into the WNIT. This will be the Pride’s first home game since December 7th. After being picked to finish sixth in the CAA Preseason Poll, two players earned All-CAA Preseason Second Team honors: senior forward Anma Onyeuku is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 12.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and two steals a game, while junior point guard Andreana Thomas earns 9.9 points and 5.7 assists a contest. Shooting almost 30% from beyond the arc with 16 makes is senior guard Annie Payton, averaging 10.3 points a game.
