Around the League: 11.25.08

Tuesday's games:

Albany 66, Columbia 49
Jerel Hastings lead all scorers with 15 points off the bench on 6-of-8 shooting as the Great Danes improved to 3-2. Columbia (2-3) couldn't get it going on its home floor, as the Lions were held below 30% from the field. Tim Ambrose had another solid game for the Danes, contributing 13 points. Albany's solid work on the boards produced a +14 rebounding advantage, which played a large part in the Danes' third consecutive win. Albany hosts Pennsylvania on Saturday.

American 56, Stony Brook 53
The Seawolves (1-3) had a chance to force overtime after a late comeback, but Chris Martin's attempt from beyond the arc missed as the America East member lost its third consecutive game. Freshman Tommy Brenton had another solid performance for Stony Brook, contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Eagles' leading scorer heading into the game, Garrison Carr, was held to just 10 points, but the Seawolves' inability to force more than 10 turnovers gave American (4-1) enough useful possessions to hold on at home. The Seawolves have a few days to enjoy Thanksgiving before heading into the city for a Saturday game versus Columbia.

Central Connecticut State 76, Binghamton 51
Whatever frustration the Blue Devils had pent up from their recent loss to Albany was taken out on fellow America East member Binghamton, as Central Connecticut State (1-3) took the lead just before halftime before heating up in the second half and turning this one into a laugher. The Bearcats were a miserable 0-of-19 from the floor, and while the abysmal effort from behind the arc skews the rebounding margin somewhat -- the Blue Devils were plus-4 on the boards -- Binghamton didn't excel in any aspect. The Bearcats are 1-2 and return to Vestal for a Saturday clash against Utah Valley.

Rhode Island 94, Hartford 72
Joe Zeglinski (21 points) became the fastest Hawk to reach 1000 points in the Division-I era since Vin Baker, but it wasn't nearly enough against Rhode Island. The Rams (4-1) had five players score in double figures and shot an excellent 52 percent both from behind the arc and overall as Rhode Island cruised to victory at the Ryan Center. Hartford (1-4) has given up more than 80 points against each of its last four opponents, something it hopes to avoid in its first game of the Philly Classic against the New Jersey Institute of Technology on Friday.

Vermont 78, Delaware 63
America East's other game against a quality CAA opponent saw Colin McIntosh go off from the field. McIntosh was 11-of-15 for a career-high 25 points and led all scorers as the Catamounts (2-2) led by as many as 25. Blue Hen guards Jawan Carter and Alphonso Dawson scored 15 each but took a combined 36 shots to do so. Well-rounded games from Marqus Blakely (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Mike Trimboli (19 points, seven rebounds, five assists) doomed Delaware (2-3) to failure. Vermont looks to climb above .500 next Tuesday against Dartmouth.

Quinnipiac 73, Maine 66
Justin Rutty scored a career-high 30 points on just 16 shots as Quinnipiac held off Maine to improve to 3-2 on the season. Maine (3-2) shot just 26 percent from the field in the first half but managed to stay close until a 15-3 run fueled by Rutty and James Feldeine (14 points) gave the Bobcats their largest lead of the game. Sean McNally had 14 rebounds for the Black Bears as Maine outrebounded its opposition by eight, but Quinnipiac's superior shooting performance was enough for the win at home. Maine heads to Mobile to begin the USA Basketball Classic against South Alabama on Friday.

Wednesday's games:
Maryland-Baltimore County vs. George Washington, 7:30 p.m.