Hahne, Heeps rescue Danes late in victory
Both get season highs in points, are clutch at end to preserve win
A couple of transfers scored season highs to lead the University at Albany women to a 6350 win over New Hampshire at SEFCU Arena.
Ellen Hahne finished with 18 and Grace Heeps, from East Greenbush, added 17 for Ualbany (4-6, 3-3). Ualbany let a 15-point lead slip away, but closed the game on a 14-0 run, holding New Hampshire scoreless for nearly the final five minutes of the game.
After their lead had wilted away, Heeps turned the momentum back in Ualbany’s favor with three consecutive 3-pointers. Hahne scored six points in the final minute to seal the win.
“Thankfully, Grace Heeps had a breakout game and hit some huge shots for us,” Ualbany coach Colleen Mullen said. “I can’t say enough about the play of Ellen Hahne again. She just had another monster game for us.”
Hahne transferred from Wake Forest while Heeps transferred from Umass.
Helene Haegerstrand scored seven of Ualbany’s first 10 points as the Great Danes (4-6, 3-3) raced to a 21-11 lead through the first 10 minutes.
Ualbany held New Hampshire (4-11, 4-8) scoreless for more than five minutes.
New Hampshire rallied with a 9-0 run and took their first lead since the opening minute when Amanda Torres knocked down a jumper to give the Wildcats a 47-46 lead with 6:12 remaining.
“New Hampshire showed tremendous resilience today,” Mullen said.
Torres led New Hampshire with 19 points.
The America East Conference announced Sunday schedule changes that will affect Ualbany. The Danes will visit Stony Brook Feb. 6-7 to make up their series from January that was postponed due to Covid-19. Ualbany is still scheduled to visit Umass Lowell next weekend.