VESTAL, N.Y. – Senior forward and America East Player of the Year Shereesha Richards netted a team-high 32 points and added six rebounds, leading No. 1 Albany to a 95-43 win over No. 8 Vermont in the third game of the America East Quarterfinals on Saturday night at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center. The historic win marked the fourth-highest point total scored by a team in any America East Tournament game.
Richards, who is one of just three active Division I players to record 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, shot 12-for-17 from the field and was 7-9 from the free throw line. Junior guard Imani Tate added 21 points, five rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Zakiya Saunders netted 20 points, as well as five assists and five steals.
“It was good to rest Shereesha tonight,” Albany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson said. “She had 32 points in 24 minutes. She obviously could have played forever.”
Abrahamson-Henderson continues her dominance in the America East tournament, as she extends her winning percentage to .923 (12-1), the highest in conference tournament history.
The four-time defending America East tournament champion Great Danes opened up the game on a 24-6 run in the first quarter and held a 54-18 lead at halftime. Then Albany went on a 21-7 run over the entirety of the third quarter to seal up the victory.
“We regrouped in the second half and I was proud of their effort,” Vermont head coach Lori Gear-McBride said. “This is a young group that has grown this year through a lot of adversity.”
Vermont will lose two seniors- forward Gracia Hutson and guard Kylie Atwood. Hutson made it clear that she enjoyed her time being a part of the Catamount program and the America East Conference.
“It's a really cool conference with great athletes.” Hutson said. “We are proud to represent the America East.”
Atwood expressed a similar sentiment, praising the conference.
“Last night at the banquet was great.” Atwood said. “There are a lot of really talented athletes who balance academics and athletics.”
Albany’s title defense effort continues on Sunday, as the Great Danes await a matchup with their semifinals opponent (the winner of UMBC vs. Binghamton) at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday.