UAlbany’s Great Comeback Falls Short In Loss To Loyola (MD)

Last year Loyola Maryland made the NCAA tournament. The Albany Great Danes did not. Sunday they met up in the Connecticut based Hall of Fame Tip Off's Springfield bracket championship game.

Loyola jumped to a huge lead then barely held on for a 67-64 victory. Loyola shut down Danes star Mike Black and center John Puk. The two combined for only 11 points. Loyola built an 18 point lead in the first half. However, the Danes started their comeback getting to within 41-31 at halftime.

Still the Greyhounds led 59-47 with just over eight minutes left when UAlbany started another comeback. Jacob Iati finally got the game tied with a three ball as part of a 17-5 Great Danes rally.

However, the Greyhounds had one last big play to win the ballgame; Dylan Cormier's layup off a long in bounds pass. Loyola's Anthony Winbush tossed the pass into Cormier who took the ball to the bucket and was fouled by D.J. Evans. Cormier made the bucket and the foul shot for the winning points.

Erik Etherly was the top threat for the Greyhounds, finishing with 23 points and 7 boards. Winbush has a solid all around ballgame with 12 points, 5 assists and 7 rebounds. Blake Metcalf led the way for the 3-2 Great Danes with 12 points. Iati and Peter Hooley finished with 11 apiece.

UAlbany finishes up their pre-Thanksgiving schedule with a contest at South Carolina State on Tuesday before they get a six day break. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.