BERKELEY, CALIF. - In a game in which the lead changed 10 times and the score was tied on four occasions, Albany defeated Columbia 58-54. Columbia's Becky Hogue scored 15 points, 12 in the second half, and had a matching 15 rebounds.
The Lions took the lead back with 4:11 left to play with two consecutive baskets from Hogue (48-47). The Lions increased their lead to 52-49 with baskets from junior guard Megan Griffith and Hogue, but the Great Danes made it a one point game with two made free throws from Kirsten Peterson. With the score 54-53 in the Lions' favor, Albany was able to get a defensive stop and score a basket with 24 seconds left on the clock to take a 55-54 lead.
The Lions, however, committed a back-court violation upon in-bounding the ball, which forced them to foul on the Great Danes next possession. Jen Schumacher made both of her free throws and Columbia took over with 18.5 seconds left in the game. Griffith was able to get a three-point attempt off, but it was wide. Albany won by a final score of 58-54.
Scoring in double digits along with Hogue was Griffith with 13 points. Hogue was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts, her first collegiate honor. For Albany, Schumacher finished with a game-high 18 points with Tanika Thrower chipping in 11. Gia Sanders led the Great Danes with nine rebounds.
Albany scored the first points of the game on two free throws from Amanda Ward. The Great Danes held an 8-7 lead but a fast break layup by Griffith gave the Lions their first lead of the game (9-8). Albany evened up the score with a free throw and then went ahead 16-12 with five unanswered points. Sophomore forward Brittney Carfora brought the game with in two with a second chance basket (16-14) and the Lions took the lead back with a jumper by junior guard Shasta Henderson (20-19) with 5:40 left in the half. With the score tied at 22, Griffith came up with a steal and pulled up and nailed a three on the breakaway to put the Lions back on top (25-22). Columbia took its three-point lead into the locker room as Griffith hit two free throws with two seconds left in the half (27-24).
Griffith led all players at the half with nine points and Hogue had seven rebounds. For the Great Danes, Ward had seven points and Sanders grabbed six rebounds.
Albany cut the Lions' lead by two to start the second half, but Columbia went on a seven-point scoring run to take a 34-26 lead, the biggest of the game. The Great Danes were able to cut the lead to two points (34-36) and the two teams traded three-point baskets for the next four possessions (42-40). Albany took a three point lead (45-42) but senior center Sarah Beato scored a basket in the paint to cut the lead to one.
The Lions dropped to 2-4 while the Great Danes improved to 3-4.
The Lions return home to face Central Connecticut State on Thursday, December 8 in Levien Gymnasium. Game time is 7 p.m.
