UAlbany Women Defeat Stony Brook to Claim Third Consecutive America East Title
Coming into the season, the UAlbany women’s basketball team had a motto: A three-peat is earned, not given. That message proved true on Monday, as the Great Danes took down Stony Brook 70-46 at the SEFCU Arena for its third-straight America East title. With the victory, UAlbany (28-4) has earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Great Danes will travel to Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday to take on No. 2 seed West Virginia. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m., and the game will be televised live on ESPN.
"I am so proud of them, they had a day to get the gameplan, and it worked," said UAlbany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, who became just the third coach to win three America East women’s basketball titles. "I told these three [Shereesha Richards, Megan Craig and Sarah Royals], you need to make it happen, and all three of them did."
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The Great Danes earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year after beating Stony Brook in the America East championship game (Photo Gregory Fisher)
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Shereesha Richards earned America East Most Outstanding Player after shooting 11-for-15 from the field Monday, scoring 26 points with seven rebounds and four steals. In the tournament, the sophomore forward shot 65% from the field, scoring 63 points.
"We have been working hard since the summer, to know we accomplished this goal to go to the Tournament again, we all did this together as a team," said Richards.
Megan Craig joined Richards on the All-Tournament Team, finishing with seven points, six rebounds and two blocks against Stony Brook. She completed the tournament with 42 points.
"I am proud of the grit and determination we had, we kept the same tempo throughout, and I am proud of everyone," said Craig.
Sarah Royals nearly had a double-double, shooting 5-for-5 from the field and hitting nine free throws for 19 points and eight assists. She matched the tournament-record 24 assists in the three games.
"It is a great feeling, knowing all the sacrifices we made. We worked hard every day, and it all paid off," said Royals.
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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.
