For the first time in program history, UAlbany's women's basketball team is headed to the NCAA tournament.

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Cassandra Callaway and Ebone Henry each scored 23 points to lead the Great Danes to a 69-61 victory, over the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, in the America East championship game, at SEFCU Arena, on Saturday evening.

"I'm very proud of my fourteen young women," UAlbany coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson said. "I'm all about the journey. I've always said it's about the journey. We have to enjoy this."

The Great Danes await their NCAA seed and opponent, when the selection show happens Monday evening, at 7 p.m.

In the latest, ESPN Bracketology projection, UAlbany is a No. 15 seed, facing off against No. 2 Maryland.

Henry was named the America East tournament's Most Outstanding Player, as the Great Danes won their 23rd game of the season.

The Retrievers (17-15) were led by Tope Obajolu, who finished with 16 points and six rebounds.

This has been a banner season for UAlbany and head coach Abrahamson-Henderson, who is in just her second season.

The future also looks bright, as two of the team's top players are young, sophomore Lindsey Lowrie and freshman Sarah Royals. With Coach Abe, the Great Danes will be a contender year in and year out.

UAlbany was able to host the tournament championship game because the top-seed lost in the semifinals and they took care of business, knocking off No. 5 seed UMBC, which actually was picked first, in the preseason poll.

The Great Danes have a lot of different weapons. Henry is a terrific scorer and two-time defensive player of the year in the conference, while fellow junior Julie Forster fills the stat sheet (four points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, three steals in championship game). Callaway is a senior leader and Megan Craig brings something no team in the country has -- she's 6-foot-8.

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