Stingy press helps UALBANY rout UNH
Great Danes force 26 turnovers towin 13th straight game
ALBANY » On Commitment to Education Day at SEFCU Arena, University at Albany’s defense taught New Hampshire a lesson in protecting the basketball.
The Great Danes’ women (12- 0 America East, 21- 3 overall) won their 13th- straight game with an 85- 48 drubbing off the Wildcats. UALBANY forced 26 turnovers, 13 via steals, and cruised to its 17th straight America East Conference win.
“Everybody bought in,” UALBANY head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson said. “We did a good job on (Elizabeth Belanger), and I thought wedid the three things we needed to do well. Play defense, be great with our press and not let them get to the foul line.”
The Wildcats (2-9 America East, 8-16 overall), who entered the game second in the conference in freethrow percentage at 73.8 percent, only attempted seven free throws on the afternoon. As a team, New Hampshire shot 35.8 percent from the field, including 20 percent from 3-point range.
The biggest struggle for the Wildcats was the Great Danes’ press. UALBANY made it tough for the Wildcats to get down the floor, and made a statement early by forcing 16 turnovers in the first half alone.
“On film, (the press) didn’t look that intimidating,” New Hampshire assistant coach Brendan Copes said. Wildcats’ head coach, Maureen Magarity was out on maternity leave.
“When you get on the court, (Albany) has those athletes that move spot-to-spot, they slide quick,” Copes added. “There were silly turnovers, just giving the ball away. When you do that, it fuels their offense.”
UALBANY closed the first quarter on a 6- 0 run led by two jumpers from Zakiya Saunders to take a 2112 lead into the second. From there,
the Great Danes held New Hampshire to 10more firsthalf points and raced out to a 46-22 halftime lead.
“We like being aggressive,” U Albany senior forward Shereesha Richards said. “We’re a very aggressive team. We don’t mind. We like to tussle in there.”
In the second half, Richards and Imani Tate combined for 26 of U Albany’s 39 second-half points. Both players finished with 26. Saunders added 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Tiana-Jo Carter chipped in eight points and grabbed five rebounds.
Tate has been used off the bench during the Great Danes’ current win streak. Abrahamson- Henderson says the tactic helps keep her scorers out of foul trouble, but also gives the junior guard a chance get a read on the opposition. In addition, Bose Aiyalogbe has been an integral part of the Danes’ press and defense with her mobility and size.
“I don’t want ( Tate), Carter or Richards in foul trouble,” Abrahamson-Henderson said. “As the game goes on, I’m talking to Imani. This is what (she) needs to do, these are this what (she) needs to look for. It has been working for us.”
Elizabeth Belanger led the Wildcats with 14 points and six rebounds. Carlie Pogue added 12 points.
At the free-throw line, UAlbany was 19-for-20 to post its best performance of the season at the stripe.
“Our foul shots have not been very good,” Abrahamson-Henderson said. “I’m old school. You can win games by getting to the foul line.”
With a crowd of 3,016 people, including nearly 1,900 elementary school students, there was plenty of energy in SEFCU Arena. Thursday was the third Commitment to Education game UAlbany has played in, and was also their largest.
“It’s fun to see them wanting your autograph and wanting to look up to you,” Richards said about the youngsters in attendance. “Just being at the game and screaming loud it’s great to see them have energy and support us.”
UALBANY’s next game is Saturday when the Great Danes rematch with Maine (11-1 America East, 20-7 overall) with a trip to Bangor in a battle of the toptwo America East teams.
The Great Danes won the first meeting 64- 59, but lost to Maine in last year’s second meeting in Albany.