UAlbany's men's basketball team recently embarked on a journey to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the highly anticipated Puerto Rico Clasico. In this intense battle, the Great Danes emerged victorious, showcasing their skills and determination. Let's delve into the details of this remarkable game.

Key Moments and Statistics

Byron Joshua was a force to be reckoned with, shooting an astonishing 100% from the field, going 4-4 in field goals, 3-3 from the three, and 2-2 at the free throw line. He led the team with five assists and five steals, making a significant impact on both ends of the court. Amar’e Marshall scored a team-high 17 points, going 6-9 from the field and 3-5 from the three. Kacper Klaczek grabbed a team-high in rebounds, demonstrating his rebounding prowess.The Great Danes finished the game with remarkable shooting percentages. They were 34-61 (55.7%) from the field, 15-18 from the three (53.6%), and 10-16 (62.5%) from the free throw line. UAlbany also dominated in various scoring categories, finishing with 36 points in the paint, 30 points off turnovers, and 17 fast break points.

First Half Highlights

UAlbany started the game with a blistering 23-4 run in the first eight minutes, with Byron Joshua contributing five points. However, the Tarzans from UPR-Mayagüez fought back and cut the lead to 25-12 with 8:52 left in the first half. But a dunk from Aaron Reddish brought UAlbany's lead back up to 33-18 with 7:36 remaining. Leading 33-16, a 6-3 run projected the Great Danes ahead 39-19. UAlbany finished the first half on a 9-5 run, taking a 49-26 lead at halftime.

Second Half Explosion

Scoring eight points out of the half, the Purple and Gold's lead continued to grow. With two threes from Reddish and one from Damon Strand, the Great Danes remained ahead 73-36 with 11:04 left. Winning 79-44, Klaczek and Kani Topuz knocked down a total of three threes between the two in a row, with Klaczek scoring twice in the run with 4:22 remaining. The Tarzans tried to make a comeback with a 6-3 run before the final buzzer, but UAlbany walked away with a convincing 93-50 victory.

Up Next for the Great Danes

The Great Danes will continue their trip down to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they're competing in the 2024 Puerto Rico Classico in a three-team tournament with Kansas City tomorrow at 1:00 pm. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey.Stay up to date with UAlbany men’s basketball by following the team on X (@UAlbanyMBB) and Instagram (@ualbany_mbb) for all of the latest news and highlights throughout the year.