Clark’s 30 paces Danes to 1st win
Albany rebounds after offense bogs down in first half
The University at Albany took down the Canisius Golden Griffins 75-66 at the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo behind a careerhigh 30 points from Ahmad Clark.
Before tipoff, Canisius unveiled its 20172018 MAAC regular season championship banner, energizing the home crowd. Once the game started, however, the fans of both teams found little to cheer for, as both squads shot under 40 percent from the field in the first half of play.
With six minutes remaining in the first period, a turnaround jumper from Canisius sophomore Scott Hitchon gave the Griffins a five point lead, 18-13. The Great Danes responded with a 13-0 run over the next five minutes to take a 26-18 lead.
Clark added five points during the run, while Adam Lulka, Cameron Healey, Devonte Campbell and Kendall Lauderdale all chipped in two points.
A pair of layups from Canisius’ Isaiah Reese and Takal Molson trimmed the Great Danes lead to four going into the break, 26-22.
Albany shot at a 37.9 percent clip from the field and 22 percent from behind the arc, while Canisius shot 33 percent from the field, and seven percent from deep.
“I think the first half set basketball back two decades,” head coach Will Brown said about the offensive display. “I think there was more flow and more rhythm to the second half. I think both teams in the first half missed some open shots and some open opportunities.”
Campbell, who is third in scoring for the Great Danes through the first two games, knocked down a three to open the second half, setting the tone for the visiting squad.
This would be the first of six three pointers made by the Danes in the second half.
With just under 14 minutes to go in the contest, a Canisius free-throw tied the game, 35-35.
The tied score marked the first time the Danes weren’t leading the game since the score was 18-17 in favor of the home team.
Over the next two minutes, the Danes responded by quickly pouring in seven points, three of which came from Clark’s hot hand.
However, the Golden Griffins would not go quietly, as Albany’s lead was cut to just two points with 7:29 to go in regulation, 47-45.
The Danes and Clark would have one more run up their sleeves, as the junior guard put the game on ice by scoring nine straight points, and 20 of the team’s final 28 points to seal the team’s first victory of the season.
In addition to Clark’s offensive onslaught, Healey scored 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, and Campbell added 14 points and five rebounds. Clark also dished seven assists and pulled down five rebounds in the winning effort.
For the game, the Great Danes shot 53 percent from the field, 44 percent from distance and connected on 68 percent from the charity stripe. They also out-rebounded Canisius 37-32.
With the win, the Danes move to 1-2 on the season, and will play host to the Oneonta Red Dragons Monday night at 7 p.m.
Nolan Hopkins is a freelance writer.