Men's Basketball Wins Second Straight Road Game; Drop Albany 80-76 in Overtime

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12/08/04 -- Sophomore guard James Williams (DeSoto, Texas) scored 25 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer in overtime, to lift Long Island University to an 80-76 victory over the University of Albany on Wednesday at the College of St. Rose's Nolan Gymnasium. Williams added a season-high nine assists and five rebounds.

Long Island (3-2) rallied from a 71-66 deficit with 2:41 remaining in regulation. A offensive put-back from senior Derek Bell (Brooklyn, N.Y.) followed by a Williams triple with 1:10 remaining tied the contest, 71-71.

With 37.9 seconds remaining, guard Jamar Wilson split a pair of free throws to put the Great Danes back on top, 72-71. The Blackbirds had a pair of looks at the basket before the ball bounced out of bounds, off an Albany player with 8.4 seconds left. On the inbounds, a technical was whistled when freshman Randy Jones called for a timeout when the Blackbirds had none to take. Wilson sank both free throws to push the advantge to 74-71.

In a play drawn up in the mistaken timeout, Williams was to take the tying shot. However, on the inbounds the sophomore found himself in the air and double-teamed. Williams tossed to classmate Evan Meekins who calmly drained the tying 3-pointer from the right side with 1.1 seconds left to send the game into the extra session.

Albany (3-3) jumped out ahead in overtime on a follow layup from Lucious Jordan. Trailing by one following a free throw from Williams, the Blackbirds went ahead to stay three possesions later. A steal from junior Aubin Scott led to Williams' fourth triple of the game, giving the visitors a 78-76 lead with 1:22 showing. Albany's attempt to tie the contest with 10 seconds left fell short.

The Blackbirds led by as many as seven points in the first half before taking a 34-33 lead into the locker room.

Bell, making his first start of the season, registered 20 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Jones notched his second straight double digit effort, scoring 10 points. Scott and Meekins each added nine points.

The Blackbirds are off to their best five-game start since the 1990-91 season. LIUconcludes its five-game road swing on Saturday at Hartford. Game time is at 2:00 p.m.