ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — Amir Lindsey scored 23 points and dished seven assists to lead Albany to a 69-53 victory over Binghamton in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes, who improved to 6-12, pulled away in the second half after leading 27-24 at halftime. Albany’s Okechukwu Okeke added 12 points. Wes Peterson led the Bearcats with 13 points. Binghamton fell to 4-15. An announced crowd of 1,120 watched the America East Conference game.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — Amir Lindsey scored 23 points and dished out seven assists to lead the Albany Great Danes to a 69-53 victory over the Binghamton Bearcats in an America East Conference men’s basketball game on Thursday night at SEFCU Arena. A crowd of 1,120 watched the Great Danes improve to 6-12 overall, while Binghamton fell to 4-15. The game was a defensive struggle for much of the first half, with both teams enduring scoring droughts and turnovers. Albany held a narrow 27-24 lead at halftime. The decisive shift came early in the second half when the Great Danes unleashed a 17-6 run over a span of just over five minutes, transforming a three-point edge into a commanding 44-30 advantage with 14:07 remaining. The surge was fueled by balanced scoring and stifling defense that held the Bearcats to just one field goal during the stretch. Lindsey, a 5-foot-10 guard from Framingham, Massachusetts, was the catalyst throughout, controlling the tempo and scoring from all levels. His backcourt partner, Zach Matulu, a hometown product from Albany, added 14 points. The interior was anchored by Okechukwu Okeke, who contributed 12 points and two blocks, and Tarique Foster, who also chipped in 12 points off the bench. Binghamton was led by Wes Peterson’s 13 points, while Jeremiah Quigley and Jackson Benigni added 10 and nine points, respectively. The Bearcats struggled to find consistent offense, particularly from beyond the arc, and were hampered by 15 turnovers that Albany converted into 18 points. The Great Danes’ second-half explosion proved insurmountable. Every time Binghamton attempted to mount a comeback, Albany had an answer, often through Lindsey, who scored 15 of his points after halftime. His driving layup with 59 seconds left provided the final points of the game, sealing the 16-point margin. Albany shot 44 percent from the field for the game, while Binghamton managed just 34 percent shooting. The Great Danes also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Bearcats 36-24. The most critical sequence of the game occurred between the 17:53 and 14:07 marks of the second half. With Albany leading 29-27, the Great Danes clamped down defensively, forcing multiple Binghamton misses and turnovers. On the offensive end, the run was a collaborative effort: Foster and Abdoulaye Fall hit three-pointers, Matulu scored on a putback, and Lindsey capped it with a floating jumper and a deft assist on an alley-oop dunk to Okeke. This burst took the air out of Binghamton’s resistance and allowed Albany to control the remainder of the contest with confidence. Binghamton, which has now lost three straight conference games, will look to rebound at home against Maryland-Baltimore County on Monday. Albany, which has won two of its last three, will host Vermont on the same night.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — Two men’s basketball teams seeking traction in the America East Conference will meet Thursday when the Albany Great Danes host the Binghamton Bearcats at SEFCU Arena. Both teams enter the Jan. 15 matchup with struggling overall records. Albany is 5-12, while Binghamton sits at 4-14. The game represents an early conference opportunity for either squad to build momentum. A key matchup will feature each team’s standout performer. Binghamton will rely on guard Jeremiah Quigley, who is coming off a string of high-minute, high-output performances. In his last seven games, Quigley has averaged over 36 minutes and 16.4 points per contest, including a 21-point, 8-assist effort in a narrow 60-59 loss at Vermont on Jan. 8 and an 18-point, 8-assist game in a 73-68 loss to Massachusetts-Lowell on Saturday. Albany counters with forward Okechukwu Okeke, a defensive force and consistent interior presence. Okeke posted a double-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in Albany’s most recent game, a 71-46 home victory over Bryant on Jan. 10. He has recorded multiple blocks in four of his last five outings. The Great Danes have shown flashes at home, including the decisive win over Bryant. Binghamton, meanwhile, has endured a difficult stretch, losing six of its last seven games, though several have been closely contested. In their last meeting with Albany during the 2024-25 season, the Great Danes swept the regular-season series. Thursday’s contest is the first of two scheduled meetings between the in-state conference rivals this season. They are slated to play again at Binghamton on Feb. 14. Following this game, Albany will prepare to host Vermont on Jan. 19. Binghamton’s next contest is at home against Maryland-Baltimore County on Jan. 19.