Dec. 3, 2011

Box Score | Photo Gallery

ALBANY, N.Y. - For a second straight year the Albany Cup will reside in the city for which it is named. Cassandra Callaway scored all 24 of her points in the second half, leading UAlbany to a 72-48 victory Saturday afternoon at the Times Union Center.

UAlbany (4-4) used a 23-6 second half run to pull away from Siena (1-4) and retain the cup for a second straight season.

After shooting 0-5 from the field in a scoreless first half, Callaway connected on 7-8 second half shots including a perfect 3-3 from three during the final period. She scored four fewer points than did Siena (1-4) in the second half.

Siena struggled throughout, but stuck around for awhile thanks to some gritty play. Reigning MAAC Player of the Week Lily Grenci capped a modest 7-2 run, pulling the Saints within 32-27 early in the second half.

But Callaway, along with Ebone Henry and Julie Forster never let Siena get any closer, capitalizing on 19 miscues leading to a 23-5 advantage in points off turnovers. Callaway scored 13 of the Great Danes points during the decisive 23-6 run, while Henry added a pair of threes.

Henry finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Forster did most of her damage in the first half and also finished with a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Grenci and Cristina Centeno combined for 35 of Siena's 48 points with Grenci leading the way with 19 points and eight rebounds. Centeno meanwhile poured in 16 points which included three triples.

UAlbany held Siena's second leading scorer entering the day Maja Gerlyng scoreless on just 0-4 shooting in 21 foul plagued minutes.

Siena shot just 26% (13-50) from the field and received 19 of their points from the free throw line.

Siena returns to action when they face 2011 NCAA participant Navy Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in Annapolis, Md.