Edwards Kemedjio
On Wednesday The UAlbany Great Danes women’s basketball team won their season opener 70-41 against the Hofstra Pride. A dominant second quarter broke the game open and the Great Danes never looked back.
An impressive defensive effort was on display for UAlbany. Against a team that was returning all five of its starters, their defense held Hofstra to 35.8% from the field and a frigid 0-11 from three. After finishing the first quarter up two, the Great Danes limited the Pride to just four points on 1-9 shooting in the second quarter as they built their lead.
“I was just so impressed with out defense,” said UAlbany Head Coach Colleen Mullen. “Holding a very and athletic team in Hofstra to just 41 points...I can’t say enough about how proud I am of them.”
Offensively UAlbany blitzed Hofstra from the outside. Of their 70 points, 38 were scored outside the paint, including 24 from behind the arc. The bench unit made its mark on the court as well, scoring 31 points. 11 of the 12 women that took the floor scored during the contest.
UAlbany’s constant activity troubled Hofstra all night. The Great Danes forced 15 turnovers. Their wrok on the glass was notable, as they won the rebounding battle 45-21 and scored 18 second chance points to Hofstra’s 4.
Senior guard Elle Hahne was the best player on the floor Wednesday night. She led all scorers with 17 points and also added 4 rebounds and 3 steals during the game. Her play led the way for the Great Danes on both ends of the floor. “We stayed poised and executed,” said Hahne after the game “Us coming together knowing what we want to do and executing that gameplan...I think we did a good job with that.”
Hofstra guard Kayla Brown, who was fourth in scoring in the CAA last season led her team in scoring with 13 points, but she was limited to just 5-17 from the field in a frustrating start to the season for her.
Mullen praised her team following the win. “I sitting here just smiling because I’m so proud of this team,” said Mullen. “What this team went through last year and to get to this point...it really was a total team effort. We just have a really special group.”
The Great Danes will start a three-game road trip as they travel to Merrimack to take on the Warriors. They look to build on their opening night win.
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