Albany, N.Y. 73, Hartford 63

1/19/2008 10:05 PM

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -Brent Wilson had 17 points and 11 rebounds as Albany jumped out to a big first-half lead then held off Hartford for a 73-63 win on Saturday night.

Jerel Hastings had 16 points and Brian Lillis added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Great Danes (9-9, 4-2 America East).

Hartford (8-11 overall, 2-2 America East) shot just 19 percent in the first half and didn't score a field goal until the 10:37 mark. Albany led by as many as 19 points in the half and took a 31-18 lead at halftime.

Joe Zeglinski hit a 3-pointer and Jaret Von Rosenberg added a pair of layups and a free throw as the Hawks went on a 14-0 run to pull within 46-43 with 11:21 to play. But Hartford couldn't get any closer and Albany went 9-of-10 from the free throw line in the final minutes.

Warren McLendon had 19 to lead Hartford, while Zeglinski had 13 points and Von Rosenberg added 12 points.