Saturday, November 29, 2008

America East Team Pull Out Close Games

Chris Martin hit a put back lay up with 35 seconds remaining to give Stony Brook a 62-60 win at Columbia. Bryan Dougher scored a career-high 15 points and Muhammad El-Amin added 11. Four Catamounts scored in double figures in Vermont's 64-62 win against Loyola. Marqus Blakely, Colin McIntosh and Mike Trimboli each scored 12 points, while Blakely added 8 rebounds and Trimboli dished out 6 assists. UMBC held visiting Toledo scoreless for nearly 8 minutes down the stretch and rallied for a 61-56 win. Jay Greene scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half and added 6 assists, while Darryl Proctor tallied 14 points and 8 rebounds. Malik Alvin scored 7 of his 14 points in the final 1:32 to lead Binghamton to a 73-66 victory over previously unbeaten Utah Valley. D.J. Rivera added a game-high 20. Anthony Raffa scored 16 of his game-high 22 points in the second half and keyed a second-half run for Albany en route to a 73-63 win over Penn. The win was the Great Danes' fourth straight. Joe Zeglinski tallied 13 points and 6 rebounds to earn all-tournament honors at the Philly Classic - Liberty Bracket following Hartford's 103-63 loss to Niagara in the championship game. Mark Socoby scored 18 points, but Maine fell 66-56 to Tulane at the USA Basketball Classic. Ryan Schneider drained three free throws in the final 12 seconds to help Marist hold off New Hampshire for a 63-61 victory. Alvin Abreu had 22 points for the Wildcats. Carlos Strong scored a season-high 18 points in Boston University's 78-69 loss at Mount St. Mary's.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Hartford Wins at Philly Classic

Behind a game-high 17 points from Joe Zeglinski, Hartford posted a 50-38 victory over New Jersey Tech in the Liberty bracket of the Philly Hoop Group Classic at the famed Palestra in Philadelphia. Mark Socoby scored a game-high 28 points, but Maine fell to host South Alabama in the USA Basketball Classic in Mobile.

All 9 America East teams are in action on Saturday. Vermont hosts Loyola at 1, while Hartford faces Niagara in the title game of the Liberty bracket in the Philly Classic at 2. Binghamton entertains Utah Valley State and Stony Brook goes to Columbia, both at 2, Toledo visits UMBC at 2:05 and Maine takes on Tulane in the consolation game of the USA Basketball Classic at 6. Boston University goes for its fourth straight win against Mount St. Mary's, Albany takes on Penn at SEFCU Arena, both at 7. In the final game of the night, New Hampshire travels to Marist for a 7:30 tip.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

UMBC Falls at George Washington

Despite a game-high 17 points and a team-high and nine rebounds from Darryl Proctor, UMBC fell at George Washington, 70-64 on Wednesday. Jay Greene added 11 points, nine assists and just one turnover.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Terriers, Catamounts Pick Wins Over Two of CAA's Top Teams

Corey Lowe scored 23 of his 27 in the first half and Jake O'Brien 14 of his 21 of points in the second half to lead Boston University to an impressive 83-75 victory over Northeastern on Wednesday. Colin McIntosh scored a career-high 25 points and Vermont used a 23-4 spurt in the second half to pull away from Delaware en route to a 78-63 win at Delaware. Marqus Blakely added a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Mike Trimboli contributed all around with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Jerel Hastings led a balanced attack for Albany, which won its third straight with a 66-49 victory at Columbia 25 points ia. America East Co-Player of the Week Tim Ambrose had 13, while Brian Connelly added 11 points and seven rebounds. Elsewhere, Joe Zeglinski became the second fastest player in Hartford history to 1,000 points as he had 21 in a 94-72 loss at Rhode Island. Tommy Brenton recorded his third straight double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds for Stony Brook, which was edged by American 53-51. Gerald McLemore had 19 points, Mark Socoby contributed 14 and Sean McNally had 9 points and 14 rebounds in Maine's 73-66 loss to Quinnipiac D.J. Rivera poured in 13 as Binghamton fell 76-51 at Central Connecticut.

UMBC is the lone team in action Wednesday, as the Retrievers face George Washington at 7:30.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Singelais: America East shows early improvement

The Albany Times Union's Mark Singelais discusses the conference's improved start from a year ago, including Vermont's near win at perennial ACC power Maryland on Friday.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

UHN Drops Road Contest at Penn State

In the lone game of the day, Tyrece Gibbs scored 14 points for New Hampshire in a 70-50 loss at Penn State. Eric Gilchrese added 13 and hit 3-of-5 three-point tries.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Albany, Boston U., Hartford, UMBC All Grab Wins

Tim Ambrose scored a game-high 24 points, including the final 5 of the game, and gave Albany a 68-67 victory over Central Connecticut on a bank shot with 3.8 seconds remaining in the Great Danes' home opener. Will Harris added 18 points and 9 rebounds. UMBC won the Tyler Ugolyn Classic with a 66-52 win against host Columbia. Jay Greene had a game-high 22 points and added 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Darryl Proctor added 16 points and 8 rebounds. Jaret von Rosenberg scored a season-high 24 points to lead Hartford to a 91-82 double-overtime victory over St. Francis (N.Y.) for its first win of the season. Joe Zeglinski also had a dominant performance with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Boston University scored 28 points off 22 St. Peter's turnovers on the way to a 67-62 win at The Roof. John Holland poured in 26 points in just 24 minutes, while Corey Lowe added 16 points and 6 assists. Tommy Brenton had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Stony Brook, which was edged by Wagner, 65-62. Mark Socoby and Kaimondre Owes each scored 13 points for Maine in an 83-62 loss at Providence.

New Hampshire is the lone America East team in action on Sunday as the Wildcats travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn State at 2. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network

Friday, November 21, 2008

Proctor Leads UMBC to Win Over Quinnipiac

Darryl Proctor led five Retrievers in twin figures with a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead UMBC to a 76-71 victory over Quinnipiac in the Tyler Ugolyn Classic. Jay Greene tallied a double-double of his own with 10 points and 10 assists. Matt Spadafora poured in 15 points, Justin Fry contributed 11 and Rich Flemming added 10. Elsewhere, Vermont took Maryland to overtime before falling 89-74 in College Park. Marqus Blakely scored a team-high 23 points and tallied game-highs with 11 rebounds, four blocks and four steals. Mike Trimboli added 17 points, while Colin McIntosh racked up 11.

A full slate of games take place on Saturday. Boston University hosts St. Peter's in a BracketBuster's return game at 1. Maine looks to move to 4-0 at Providence, while Hartford hosts St. Francis (N.Y.) and Stony Brook welcomes Wagner all at 2. Albany takes on Central Connecticut State in its home opener at 7 and UMBC faces Columbia in the championship game of the Tyler Ugolyn Classic at 8.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Hartford Falls At Penn State

Joe Zeglinski scored 16 points and Morgan Sabia added 13, but it wasn't enough as Hartford fell at Penn State 89-64. The Nittany Lions closed the first half on a 17-3 to build a double-digit lead and sustained it through the second stanza.

UMBC and Vermont take the floor on Friday. The Retrievers face Quinnipiac in the first game of the Tyler Ugolyn Classic at Columbia at 6, while the Catamounts take on Maryland in College Park at 8 on CN8.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Maine Moves to 3-0, Albany Earns Road Win

Kaimondre Owes scored 11 points off the bench and Junior Bernal added 10 points and 5 rebounds to lead Maine to a 58-55 overtime victory at Princeton on Wednesday evening. With the win, the Black Bears are off to a 3-0 start. Tim Ambrose tied a career-high with 24 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to pace Albany in a 76-67 win at Bryant. Also on Wednesday, Tyrone Conley poured in 21 points in New Hampshire's 80-69 loss to Harvard at Lundholm Gym. D.J. Rivera and Dwayne Jackson each scored 20 points, but Binghamton fell on the road to George Washington, 71-57.

Hartford is the lone America East team in action on Thursday. The Hawks travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn State at 7.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Boston U. Rallies for OT Win at Bucknell, Vermont Downs Yale

Corey Lowe scored 19 points as Boston University outscored Bucknell, 28-16 in the second half and went on to post a 71-68 win in overtime at Lewisburg, Pa. John Holland, who made two free throws with 1:12 left in regulation to force overtime, scored seven of the Terriers' 12 points in the extra session. Colin McIntosh scored 17 points and Mike Trimboli added 16 as Vermont defeated Yale, 89-58, at Patrick Gym. Muhammad El-Amin scored 15 points but Stony Brook fell to 1-1 with an 80-71 loss at Lafayette.

Four America East teams are in action Wednesday. Maine looks to run its winning streak to three games as the Black Bears travel to Princeton for a first-ever meeting with the Tigers at 7. Former George Washington assistant coach Kevin Broadus got the best of his old team as Binghamton defeated the Colonials, 71-59 at the Events Center last year. The two teams square off in Washington, DC at 7:30. Albany is in search of its first win of the season when the Great Danes travel to Bryant at 7. New Hampshire entertains Harvard at Lundholm Gym at 7.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Binghamton Wins Opener

D.J. Rivera scored 28 points and added 10 rebounds to lead Binghamton to an 80-62 win over Mansfield at the Events Center on Monday. Hartford trailed No. 2 Connecticut, 43-42 early in the second half before the Huskies went on a 33-5 run en route to a 99-56 win. Morgan Sabia scored 15 points for the Hawks. Mike Johnson scored 16 points and handed out 7 assists but Albany fell to a Big East team for the second time in four days, losing 75-64 at DePaul. UMBC is now 1-1 following a 67-60 loss at crosstown rival Morgan State. Darryl Proctor had 19 points and 8 rebounds for the Retrievers.

Three America East teams are in action Tuesday. Stony Brook looks to start the season at 2-0 for the first time in its Division I history when the Seawolves travel to Lafayette. Vermont and Boston University look to bounce back from overtime losses to George Mason and George Washington, respectively. The Catamounts play host to Yale while the Terriers are at Bucknell. Each of the three games starts at 7.

UMBC Featured in Mid-Majority Game of the Night

Kyle Whelliston has pronounced the UMBC-Morgan State contest as the Mid-Majority Game of The Night for Monday. He credits the Retrievers and Bears for playing a large role in last year's "mid-major hoops renaissance" in the Beltway area.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

UNH Wins Opener

Eric Gilchrese scored 21 points and Tyrece Gibbs added 18 as New Hampshire opened its season with a 101-50 win over Suffolk on Sunday.

Four America East teams are in action Monday. Hartford plays No. 2 Connecticut at the Hartford Civic Center. That game can be seen live on SportsNet New York. UMBC travels across town to play Morgan State. Binghamton plays host to Mansfield. All three games are at 7. Albany continues its tour of Big East teams when the Great Danes travel to DePaul for an 8:30 start.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Maine Wins 100 Club Classic, UMBC Opens With Win

Maine won the 100 Club Classic with a 60-47 victory over host Kennesaw State on Saturday. Mark Socoby, who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the title game, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. Troy Barnies also scored 16 for the 2-0 Black Bears. UMBC raised its 2008 America East Championship banner and then saw five players score in double figures in a 91-54 win over Stevenson. Darryl Proctor had a game-high 20 points and added nine rebounds. Jay Greene and rookie Chauncey Gilliam each scored 17 points, with Greene dishing nine assists.

Darryl Monroe (19 points, 17 rebounds) made two free throws with 0.7 seconds left to lead George Mason to an 80-79 win over Vermont at a soldout Patrick Gym. Mike Trimboli, who scored four of his nine points in overtime, had given the Catamounts a 79-78 lead with 1:13 to play. Marqus Blakely filled the stat line with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 steals before he fouled out with 3:31 left in overtime.

New Hampshire starts its season Sunday when the Wildcats entertain Suffolk at 1.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Maine, Stony Brook Start Season With a Win

Rookies made an immediate impact in wins for Maine and Stony Brook on opening night. Gerald McLemore made 6-of-9 three-pointers and scored 24 points in his debut as Black Bears defeated Northern Illinois in the first game of the 100 Club Classic in Kennesaw, Ga. Freshmen Danny Carter (team-high 11 points) and Tommy Brenton (8 points, game-high 16 rebounds) led the Seawolves to a 60-44 win over Maryalnd-Eastern Shore.

In other games, Boston University and George Washington went to overtime before the Colonials pulled out a 63-58 win in front of a crowd of 4,624 at Agganis Arena. Hartford dropped a 63-62 decision to in-state rival Quinnipiac. Albany fell to #23/25 Villanova 78-60 in Philadelphia.

America East action continues Saturday as Vermont plays host to George Mason at 1. Defending America East Champion UMBC will unveil its title banner before its game vs. Stephenson at 7. Maine plays host Kennesaw State in the championship game of the 100 Club Classic at 7:30.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Boston U. Featured on NESN

Preseason favorite Boston University and all-conference guard Corey Lowe were the subject of a feature on NESN. The Terriers begin the season on Friday when they play host to George Washington at Agganis Arena at 7 p.m. VIDEOLINK

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Marqus Blakely: A Player to Watch on ESPN.com

Vermont junior Marqus Blakely, the first player in conference history to win both the Kevin Roberson America East Player of the Year Award and Defensive Player of the Year honors, has been named one of ESPN.com's mid-major players to watch for the 2008-09 season.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Basketball Season Begins Friday

The America East men's basketball season begins Friday night with five schools in action. Hartford, which advanced to the America East Championship game a season ago, plays host to Quinnipiac live on NESN at 7 p.m. Preseason favorite Boston University entertains George Washington at Agganis Arena at 7 p.m. Maine gets the season started at 4 p.m. when it plays Northern Illinois in the 100 Club Classic in Kennesaw, Ga. Stony Brook plays host to Maryland Eastern Shore at 7 p.m. Albany travels to Villanova at 8 p.m.

Greene, Trimboli Among Cousy Award Nominees

The preseason nominees for the Bob Cousy Award have been announced and Jay Greene of UMBC and Mike Trimboli of Vermont are among the 31 Division I players named by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford is given to the top male point guard annually spanning across all divisions. America East is one of two non-BCS conferences with more than one nominee. D.J. Augustin of Texas was the 2008 winner.