Fresh off their huge win over the Washington Huskies some feared a let down might be in order for Will Brown's Great Danes. Good reason to worry as there was a bit of a comedown but not enough as UAlbany rallied for a 62-59 victory over Missouri-Kansas City Saturday in the Hall of Fame Tip Off tournament in Springfield, Connecticut.

Albany started 4-1 in the 2007-2008 season and has a chance to match that in the tournament final on Sunday vs. Loyola Maryland. Loyola smashed Norfolk State 65-49.

Coming down from the midweek win at Washington head coach Will Brown expressed concern about his club and rightfully so. It took awhile for the Great Danes to ground themselves against the UMKC who has lost at least 20 games in four of the past six years including 21 losses last year. Birthday boy Jacob Iati saw to it the Danes wouldn't lose.

Iati, celebrating his 23rd birthday scored a game high 24 points. Iati made six of eight field goals and three of four from beyond the arc. He scored the winning points from the foul line with under five seconds left.

Down 62-59, UMKC had one final shot to tie the game and almost took advantage. Thomas Stanton had a good look at a three from the left side but missed as time ran out.

Mike Black who was spectacular in the Washington win was the only other Great Dane in double figures, finishing with 16 points, 10 of which came from the foul line. Black expressed his trepidation after the game about a let down after the Washington win saying "we were lethargic."

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