Great Danes Showcase Integrity, Determination in NCAA Tournament
The men's and women's basketball teams make UAlbany history by securing dual berths in the 'Big Dance'
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UAlbany Senior Ebone Henry drives to the basket against Hartford. (John Carl D'Annibale, Times Union photo used with permission)
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ALBANY, N.Y. (March 24, 2013) -- The University at Albany men's and women's basketball teams were given monumental tasks when paired against ACC titans Duke and North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament. Both teams were up to the challenge, however, earning the respect of their highly decorated foes before enduring narrow defeats.
The men put forth a valiant effort Friday in a 73-61 loss to four-time NCAA Champion Duke, while the women led for much of the game Sunday before falling to 1994 Champion North Carolina, 59-54.
For the first time in UAlbany history, both the men's and women's basketball teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament in the same season by virtue of winning the America East Conference title.
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The Great Danes defeated Vermont 53-49 to earn their third trip to the Division I NCAA Tournament.
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The men's basketball team punched their ticket to the NCAAs with a 53-49 victory at Vermont in the championship game. Then the women's team made it a pair of championships when they defeated a scrappy Hartford squad, 61-52 at SEFCU Arena.
It is the third time the men's basketball team has advanced to the NCAA Tournament at the Division I level. The Great Danes won the America East championship in 2006 and 2007, also against Vermont.
UAlbany captured a national TV audience's attention and support by putting a scare into regional #1 seed University of Connecticut well into the second half in 2006, before bowing 72-59. The Great Danes were never in the battle the next year against the University of Virginia, losing 84-57 to the Cavaliers.
The women's basketball team made it two consecutive Tournaments with their victory over Hartford. The Great Danes lost to Texas A&M in the first round of the 2012 Tournament.
UAlbany's scholar athletes consistently demonstrate excellence both on the field and in the classroom. To learn more about the players, visit the men's team roster and the women's team roster.
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A comprehensive public research university, the University at Albany-SUNY offers more than 120 undergraduate majors and minors and 125 master's, doctoral and graduate certificate programs. UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as atmospheric and environmental sciences, business, education, public health,health sciences, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, engineering and applied sciences, informatics, public administration, social welfare and sociology, taught by an extensive roster of faculty experts. It also offers expanded academic and research opportunities for students through an affiliation with Albany Law School. With a curriculum enhanced by 600 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers.
