Forster Breaks Program Rebound Record; UAlbany Defeated in Overtime at Beach Classic

Photo Caption: Julie Forster (above) is now UAlbany's all-time leader in rebounds. 

Box Score

Long Beach, Calif. – Julie Forster became part of program history as the University at Albany women's basketball team were defeated in overtime by Sam Houston State, 71-68, in the Long Beach Classic first round. The senior forward became the Great Danes all-time leading rebounder eclipsing the 976 mark set by Danielle Hutcheson '05. UAlbany (8-3) will play Canisius in the third place game tomorrow at Walter Pyramid.

Senior Ebone Henry led the Great Danes with seven points in an 11-4 run to begin play. The San Diego, Calif. native opened up the early scoring with a three-pointer to put the purple and gold up 5-0.  Forster grabbed two rebounds in the span -- officially putting her name into the record books at the 16:53 mark.

The Bearkats would claw their way back, wiping away the UAlbany advantage. They hit four three-pointers, including a first half buzzer beater by Britni Martin to take a 28-25 locker room lead. Forster ended the half with seven boards.

Martin continued with the hot hand to start the second half. She sunk two three's within 30 seconds to give Sam Houston (3-6) their largest lead of the contest, 36-27, at 14:19. The Great Danes would not go away quietly however, hunkering down when it counted the most. UAlbany went on a nine point run to cut the lead to just two at 38-36 and evened things up at 43-43 with 7:45 left. Henry continued her strong homecoming adding seven points over the span.

Just when the game looked as if it was slipping away, Henry once again gave the Great Danes life. She swished a three-pointer with 1:47 remaining, cutting the Bearkat lead again to one, 57-56. As less than 50 seconds remained in regulation, UAlbany guard Sarah Royals was fouled, making one-of-two at the line to send the game into overtime at 57-57.

In what became a theme of the game, Henry and Martin exchanged three-point buckets to begin OT. From there, UAlbany took control with two-pointers by Forster and Royals, giving them a 64-60 lead with 3:05 to go. The Bearkats would however cap off the thriller with an 11-4 run over the final three minutes. The back-and-forth battle ended with a three-point Sam Houston win, 71-68.  

Henry led all scorers with a career-high 29 points. She was 4-9 from the three-point line and 12-25 from the field. Forster finished with a double-double, 16 rebounds and 10 points. Martin and Chanice Smith both scored 18, four three's each, for the Bearkats. UAlbany finished with 15 steals but also 16 turnovers. They shot 40.6 percent (28-69) from the field and 30 percent (6-20) from three-range. 

UAlbany will play tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET against Canisius. Host team Long Beach State defeated Canisius, 72-67, earlier in the day to set up the battle for third place. The Great Danes defated the Griffs earlier this season, 65-43.