ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Albany women’s basketball team built a large early lead and withstood a late push to defeat Hofstra 52-43 on Sunday at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes dominated the first quarter, taking a 21-6 lead. Albany maintained a 31-14 halftime advantage. Hofstra’s Pride mounted a fourth-quarter rally, outscoring Albany 20-13 in the period, but could not overcome the early deficit. Delanie Hill led Albany with 14 points and seven rebounds. Gabriela Falcao added five points, six assists and four blocks, while Martina Borrellas grabbed 14 rebounds. Albany improved to 10-3 overall. Hofstra fell to 2-8. Attendance was 1,286.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — A surging Albany women’s basketball team looks to rebound from its most lopsided loss of the season when it hosts struggling Hofstra at SEFCU Arena on Sunday. The Great Danes (9-3) had a seven-game winning streak snapped emphatically in a 64-35 defeat at Vanderbilt on Thursday. Prior to that, Albany had established itself as one of the stronger mid-major teams in the region, with notable road wins at Bucknell, Sacred Heart and Colgate during its streak. Albany will rely on guard Delanie Hill, who has been a consistent offensive force. Hill averaged 16.1 points over her last seven games, including a 23-point performance at Colgate on Dec. 8. She will be the focal point for a Danes squad seeking to regain its rhythm. They face a Hofstra team mired in a difficult season. The Pride (2-7) have lost five of their last six, though they come off a narrow 63-60 loss at Saint John’s on Dec. 13 where they showed competitive fight. Hofstra’s hopes will rest heavily on the play of Sandra Magolico. The guard is coming off her best performance of the season, scoring 17 points with six rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes against the Red Storm. Her production will be critical for a Pride offense that has been held under 55 points in five of its seven losses. The matchup presents a stark contrast in trajectories. Albany’s defense, which held opponents to an average of 52.1 points during its win streak, will test a Hofstra team averaging just 57.2 points per game. The Pride’s only victories this season came against Yale and non-Division I Marywood. Sunday’s contest is the final non-conference tune-up for both programs before each embarks on its league schedule in early January. Albany opens America East play on Jan. 1 against Vermont, while Hofstra begins Coastal Athletic Association action on Jan. 2. Tip-off is set for Sunday afternoon at SEFCU Arena.