VESTAL, N.Y. - First-place Albany shot 54 percent in the second half to fend off a Binghamton rally and the Great Danes (17-7, 12-0 America East) remained unbeaten in league play with a 62-46 win over Binghamton (4-23, 3-9 AE) Tuesday night at the Events Center.
The Bearcats trailed by 19, 37-18, three minutes into the second half before using a 19-7 run to get back in the game. A steal and dunk by freshman forward Willie Rodriguez capped the run and brought BU within seven, 44-37, with 8:13 left. But Albany steadied itself with an ensuing 13-2 run and the Bearcats ran out of steam.
"They are much bigger and more physical than us," head coach Tommy Dempsey said. "I give my kids credit. It looked like we were going to get blown out ... we had a hard time on offense and regbounding was difficult against their size. But then with six minutes to go, you look up and the scoreboard and we're in the game. It's a testament to how hard our kids are fighting through a lot of obstacles with a limited roster. Albany did what they do ... they made the big shots late in the game to give them the separation they needed. But our kids are giving us everything they can. At halftime we talked about staying with it ... keep believing and keep working. That's who we've become and that's a positive. That's a talented team we played tonight and we did our best to stay with them."
Sophomore guard Marlon Beck had three threes during the 19-7 run and wound up with 13 points for the game. Rodriguez also tallied 13 points and added six rebounds and a pair of blocks. Sophomore guard Yosef Yacob chipped in nine points.
Albany was led by Sam Rowley, who amassed game-highs of 20 points and 15 rebounds.
The Bearcats played without freshman starter Justin McFadden, who is recovering from an illness.
Binghamton next travels to Durham to face New Hampshire Saturday afternoon.
(Courtesy: BU Athletics)
