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HAMILTON, N.Y. (12/22/10) – Senior guard Joe Hoban (West Chester, Pa.) and sophomore forward Brandon James (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) both recorded career-highs but it wasn't enough as Colgate's second half rally fell short to Albany 63-61 Wednesday night at Cotterell Court.

With Colgate trailing 63-60 Hoban was sent to the free throw line with 4.7 seconds remaining in regulation. After making the first from the charity stripe Hoban intentionally missed the second one and grabbed the rebound. The captain then put up a 15-foot jumper as time expired, but saw it bounce off the back iron to hand the Raiders their third straight loss at home.

Hoban led the Raiders with 18 points, four assists, two steals and one blocked shot while James added 16 and six rebounds. Junior forward Yaw Gyawu (Lilburn, Ga.) also reached double digits in scoring with 14 points, while classmate Nick Pascale (DeWitt, N.Y.) led the team on the boards with eight.

Colgate (0-10) opened the game with an 8-0 run but the Great Danes were able to respond with a 15-2 run to take 15-10 lead with 9:50 remaining in the opening act. The Raiders were able to tie the game 20-20 with 5:24 remaining, but Albany closed the half with a 12-0 run to head into the locker room with a 32-20 lead.

Albany (7-6) built its largest lead of the game 44-28 with 11:41 left in regulation, before the Raiders made a late run. Hoban scored seven-straight points for Colgate as Gyawu and James each made layups to trim the lead to 46-40 with 8:01 remaining. Both teams would exchange baskets until Pascale stole an inbounds pass and was fouled in the act of shooting. After making both free throws Colgate only trailed 55-52 in the final 2:36.

The Great Danes made five straight free throws down the stretch to extend their lead to 60-53, but a free throw by James and a three pointer by classmate Mitch Rolls (Coffeyville, Kan.) would bring Colgate back to within three 60-57 in the final 27 seconds. Albany's Mike Black then split a pair free throws give the Danes a 61-57 lead. James then responded by successfully make all three of his free throw attempts after being fouled while taking a three-pointer to bring the score to 61-60. Tim Ambrose would add two more free throws to give Albany a 63-60 lead in the final eight seconds.

Colgate will travel to Stony Brook on Wednesday, Dec. 29. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Pritchard Gymnasium.