Jan. 2, 2003

Box Score

Albany, N.Y. (www.lafayette.edu) - Colleen Fitzpatrick's season-high 25 points led nine Lafayette players who scored, but the Leopards could not overcome the University at Albany's hot shooting from behind the arc in a 91-73 loss on Thursday.

The Great Danes (6-4) opened the game with back-to-back three point baskets by point guard Jess MgGinlay, a prelude to what was to come, as Lafayette (1-8) watched Albany knock down nine first-half three pointers en route to shooting 48.8 percent before intermission.

In their own right the Leopards had their most efficient shooting half of the season, netting 12-of-22 shots from the field and 14-of-16 from the free throw line. Fitzpatrick scored 12 in the opening frame, and freshman Tricia Indoe added a career-high 11 points by halftime.

Three Great Danes tallied double-figures by intermission. Kathryn Hemlock hit four three-point shots, striking for 22 points, McGinlay scored 15, and Danielle Hutcheson added 14 points in the paint giving Albany a 55-38 halftime advantage.

Lafayette picked up its intensity on both ends in the second-half, holding Albany scoreless for a three-minute stretch early on, and outscoring the Great Danes 36-35 in the final 20 minutes. Reserve Erica Canzler led the charge, energizing the Leopards by contributing a career-high seven points in 18 minutes. The Leopards slowly cut the Great Danes' lead to 12 with under 12 minutes remaining by going inside to Jen Bayer and Fitzpatrick, and stole the momentum on a rainbow 40-foot three pointer from Kim Costello to beat the shot clock.

However, Albany responded with the three-point shot. Sarah Sweetland, who was held scoreless in the first-half, single-handedly kept the Great Danes in front by connecting on three consecutive three-point field goals, scoring 17 points in a nine-minute span. As a team Albany scored 24 of their 36 second-half points from behind the arc, shooting 50 percent (8-for-16) in the second half.

Lafayette returns to the hardwood at Kirby Sports Center on Saturday against Wagner at 1 p.m.