Posted at: 11/20/2009 11:40 PM
By: Rodger Wyland

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UAlbany rolls past Alcorn State

            UAlbany (2-2) led 36-28 at halftime, but then ripped off seven unanswered to begin the final period.  Jake Lindfors, a redshirt freshman, made a reverse layup off a high-low feed, before Mike Johnson scored on the left baseline.  Harris, who made 6-of-8 from the floor, finished off a fastbreak with a slam dunk for a 15-point advantage.

            The Great Danes, who were coming off their first victory of season four days earlier, stretched out to a 49-31 margin when Blake Metcalf converted an offensive rebound.  The 6-foot-9 freshman had six points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots in a reserve role.

            Alcorn State (0-4) would regroup and cut into the lead over the next six minutes.  Jonathan Boyd, who led all scorers with 16 points and made four 3-point shots, hit drive on the right baseline in transition and later canned a three-point field goal from the right wing off a screen to slice the deficit to 56-48.

            UAlbany’s Harris answered with a three-pointer from the top of the arc.  Still leading 61-52, the Great Danes finally sealed the verdict with eight consecutive points.  Brett Gifford sank a 12-foot jumper and Johnson made a layup following a steal.  Scotty McRae, who totaled seven points and six rebounds, hit a slam dunk from a driving Tim Ambrose and made two foul shots for a 69-52 lead with 3:00 remaining.

            “We are not in rhythm as a team right now,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, who was pleased with the win but not happy with his team’s 21 turnovers.  “I wanted to get guys some time and play the freshmen.  We are not going to win any style points, but I think we have the pieces to get ready for conference play.”

            In the first half, the Great Danes led by as much as 11 points midway through the period after freshman guard Mike Black nailed a long-range jumper.  The Braves would eventually close within 31-28 as Ian Francis connected on a jump hook on the right baseline.  Tartt, a freshman guard who made 4-of-5 from the field, made a three-pointer and Logan Aronhalt delivered on a dunk in transition to end the period.

            “We have to play three days, so we need to take care of our bodies and stay hydrated,” explained Harris, whose team meets Detroit on Saturday and Robert Morris on Sunday in this regional tournament.  “Our young guys come to practice every day and this just proves that practice pays off.”

            Brandon Rogers was the only other Alcorn State player in double figures with 10 points.  UAlbany’s Ambrose had eight points, six rebounds and a career-high seven assists.

            “I was just looking to attack and be aggressive,” offered Tartt, who netted 11 of his scoring total in the opening half.  “I took shots that were open, but I still have to play better on defense.”