Men’s Basketball Falls 55-45 to Vermont to End Home Winning Streak
ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany men’s basketball team (11-11, 5-4 AE) fell victim to a shooting slump on Saturday night and lost 55-45 to Vermont (14-9, 8-1 AE) at SEFCU Arena.
Despite a poor shooting night overall, Will Brown’s squad got out to a quick 6-0 lead. The Purple & Gold went 3-3 from the field to start with one basket from Gary Johnson and four early points from Peter Hooley.
But the Great Danes went on a five-minute scoring drought following their quick start, going 0-7 with just one turnover. Johnson broke the drought with 13:17 left in the half.
UAlbany was scoreless for the next eight minutes after that, going 1-15 total from the field in a 13-minute span. The Purple & Gold also committed five turnovers in two minutes before the third media timeout of the half.
Sam Rowley hit an elbow jumper with five minutes left in the first half to give UAlbany some life. A pair of free throws from Ede Egharevba brought the Purple & Gold within four points, 16-12 with five minutes left in the half. The Great Danes didn’t score for the remainder of the half.
The Great Danes shot a season-low 19.2% (5-26) from the field in the first half, and at one point in the game were 0-10 from the three-point arc. UAlbany finished the game 2-15 (.133) from three.
Rowley and Luke Devlin opened the second half with back-to-back baskets, but Vermont extended its lead to as many 13 points after Rowley picked up his third foul.
John Puk cut the lead back to single digits with 11 minutes left in the second half, but Vermont went 6-for-8 from the field in response. With 4:52 left, the Catamounts extended their lead to 16 points.
Vermont went 10-12 from the free throw line in the final two minutes to put the game away.
Hooley led the Great Danes with 11 points and four assists, while Johnson scored 10 to go with six rebounds. Sam Rowley led the Purple & Gold with seven rebounds.
The Catamounts also beat out UAlbany at the line, going 14-18 (.778), while the Great Danes went 7-12 (.583).
The Purple & Gold host UMass Lowell (6-14, 5-4 AE) on Wednesday, Feb. 5 to conclude a three-game home stand. The game will also be broadcast on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel.
