Saturday, February 23rd, 7:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Koessler Center (2,100) -- Buffalo, New York. Television: None. Home Record: Albany 7-5, Canisius 4-9. Away Record: Albany 6-8, Canisius 0-13. Neutral Record: Albany 0-0, Canisius 0-0. Conference Record: Albany 8-6, Canisius 2-14. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Albany Great Danes and the Canisius Golden Griffins will step out of their respective conferences and will do battle this evening at the Koessler Center. The Great Danes head into this game after suffering a tough, 81-77 overtime loss to UMBC this past Wednesday. Albany has had some success on the road this season, grabbing six victories as the visitor and that includes two straight over Vermont (64-61) and Maine (74-60). As for the Golden Griffins, this has been a nightmare of season, as the team has lost 22 of its 26 matchups. Canisius is currently in the midst of a five-game losing skid and has lost eight of its last nine games. Although the team has only four wins on the season, all four victories have come at the Koessler Center, giving the Griffs a glimmer of hope this evening. This will be the first-ever meeting between Albany and Canisius on the hardwood.

The Great Danes have not been so great offensively, as the squad is netting just 68.2 ppg, while shooting 43.6 percent from the floor. Brian Lillis is pacing the team with 16.1 ppg, and is also collecting a team-high 6.3 rpg. Brian Connelly is the only other player posting double figures for Albany, and comes into tonight with 10.1 ppg and 5.7 rpg. On Wednesday, the Great Danes scored 77 points, but still fell to UMBC in overtime. In the loss, Albany shot 40.8 percent from the floor and made just 7-of-20 attempts from long range. Lillis led the way with 20 points and also grabbed eight boards, but committed seven turnovers in the setback. Brent Wilson, Jerel Hastings and Tim Ambrose each tallied 10 points in the loss, while Wilson and Ambrose both collected nine rebounds apiece as well.

The Golden Griffins have struggled at the offensive end of the court this season, producing a meager 60.9 ppg, while shooting a woeful 38.9 percent from the floor. Frank Turner has been the lone bright spot to an otherwise dreadful season, as the guard is averaging 12.8 ppg. Turner is also leading the team with 115 assists and 32 steals, and is collecting 4.3 rpg. The last time Canisius was on the floor the team's terrible offensive play was on full display, as the squad scored just 52 points in a loss to Iona. The Golden Griffs shot just 35.2 percent from the floor and made only 8-of-28 attempts from behind the arc. Greg Logins led the way with 18 points, while Turner tallied 15 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists.

There have not been many positive moments during this season for Canisius, and this could be the team's last real chance to grab a win. Albany should put up a fight, but expect Turner to lead his team to victory.

Predicted Outcome

Canisius 66, Albany 65