Hartford upsets three-time AEast tourney champ Albany, 68-59

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Pancake Thomas scored 16 points and No. 7 seed Hartford upset No. 2 seed Albany, the three-time defending America East Conference tournament champion, on the Great Dane's home floor, 68-59 on Wednesday night.

Hartford was coming off a 75-59 loss to Albany in the regular season finale, the Great Dane's 19th straight home court victory. The playoff win snapped a nine-game tournament win streak by Albany and came 14 years to the day since the last time the two teams met in the conference tournament - a game the Hawks won, 65-49.

Hartford came out quickly, taking a 38-21 advantage at intermission and holding off a second-half comeback.

George Blagojevic and Jalen Ross each added 13 points for Hartford (10-22).

Ray Sanders scored 13 points to lead Albany (24-8) and Peter Hooley added 11. Leading scorer Evan Singletary (19 ppg) was held to just six points.

Hartford advances to play regular-season conference champion Stony Brook Monday.