Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
4-6
Albany
2-6
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 28 | 30 | 58 |
| Bucknell | 29 | 32 | 61 |
Hass Scores 26 as Bison Hold Off Albany, 61-58
12/8/2014 10:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Leading by three points inside three minutes to play and the shot clock dwindling, Bucknell sharpshooter Chris Hass elevated over two defenders and knocked down his sixth 3-pointer of the night. And his team would need every bit of that six-point cushion in what turned into a 61-58 Bison victory over defending America East champion Albany on Monday night at Sojka Pavilion. Hass finished with 26 points, highlighted by three dagger treys in the final eight minutes, to help the Bison end a hectic first semester on a high note.
Playing its 10th game in 24 days to start the season, Bucknell improved to 4-6 heading into an 11-day layoff for final exams. Freshman center Nana Foulland continued his strong recent play with 12 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots, and reserve forward Cory Starkey finished with six points, nine rebounds and two blocks while matched up on Albany scoring leader Sam Rowley (17 points, nine rebounds).
Bucknell trailed for most of the first half, and by as many as nine on a couple of occasions, but Hass beat the buzzer with a deep 3-pointer to cap an 11-2 run and give the Bison a 29-28 halftime lead. With the exception of one possession where the game was tied at 35, Bucknell led the entire second half, but it was not easy.
The key sequence of the game came just after Evan Singletary hit a 3-pointer to bring Albany within 56-53 with 3:30 to play. Bucknell worked the shot clock down inside five seconds, and everyone in the building figured Hass would get the look. On the right wing he got a screen from Starkey, dribbled around a hard hedge from a second Albany defender, and hit a tough contested three from right in front of his own bench.
Moments later, Rowley fouled out on a moving screen on the perimeter, and the Bison had the ball back with a six-point lead with 2:41 left. But Hass had a jumper rim out, and Singletary answered with a 3-pointer to cut the Great Danes' deficit back to three. Then a turnover near the top of the key led to a breakaway layup for Wheeler Baker, and it was a one-point game with 1:48 to play.
Bucknell had to overcome two more turnovers, but both times the defense came away with big stops with the game on the line. Starkey grabbed two tough defensive rebounds, and after the second Ryan Frazier was fouled with the shot clock turned off with 12.2 seconds left. Frazier, who hit a big 3-pointer of his own to put the Bison up seven with 6:00 to play, drained both free throws to make it 61-58.
Baker missed a deep 3-pointer, and Foulland rebounded and was fouled with 3.2 seconds left. Foulland missed both free throws, but after Albany used its final timeout, Peter Hooley was well off the mark with a heave from halfcourt.
“We are a work in progress,” said head coach Dave Paulsen after the game. “We really battled tonight on the defensive end, got some key stops when we needed them and came away with a good victory. We have really put these guys through the wringer with a brutal schedule, and I know they are looking forward to getting a few days off. We are not satisfied with where we are and have a lot of work to do, but we have also seen a lot of positives.”
Singletary finished with 15 points and Baker 11 off the bench for Albany (2-6), which ran out to an early 13-4 lead. Bucknell drew within 15-13 on a Foulland shot in the lane, but Baker's 3-pointer highlighted a 7-0 spurt and have the Great Danes another nine-point lead at 22-13.
Hass then scored 10 points in the final 6:28 of the half to spark a 16-6 surge late in the half. Dom Hoffman scored the first four points of the second period to open up a five-point lead. Albany tied it momentarily at 35 on two straight layups by Rowley, but Hass answered with a trey followed by a Starkey layup, and the Bison led for the final 15:41.
Bucknell shot 47.8 percent from the field and hit 7 of 18 from 3-point distance and 10 of 15 from the foul line. Albany shot 36.4 percent overall while converting 6 of 15 from the arc and 12 of 15 from the line.
The Bison committed 17 turnovers and Albany 13, and many of those on both sides were a result of a litany of offensive foul calls.
Hass' 26 points equaled the second-highest total of his career. He made 9 of 18 shots from the field and 6 of 11 from 3-point distance while upping his team-best scoring average to 16.8 ppg.
Bucknell will next be in action on Dec. 19 against Case Western Reserve at 7 p.m.
