Albany, NY- It was a storybook performance.
David Nichols, the University at Albany sophomore guard, had an astonishing 40 point outing Wednesday night against the University of Hartford that tied the program record and catapulted the #3 seed Great Danes past the #6 seed Hawks 100-71 in the quarterfinal matchup of the America East Conference Tournament at SEFCU Arena.
The 40 points ties the record set by Gary Holway, who tallied 40 against Utica on February 2nd. 1957. Nichols also became the record holder for most points in a game in the schools Division I era, passing former UAlbany legend Jamar Wilson who scored 39 at New Hampshire February 16th, 2003.
Nichols’ outing and performance was completed all with his sister on his mind. 24-year-old Cecilia Coleman passed away in Chicago this past Saturday after a long battle with leukemia. Nichols had returned home to Chicago Sunday after Albany’s Senior Day win over Hartford Saturday night and returned back to the 518 Tuesday.
“You could say I played for her,” Nichols admitted postgame. “She was on my mind a lot. Playing for this team, who’s been a big help in supporting me, I wanted to go out there and give it all for these guys and for my family.”
The tribute for Coleman began before the game even tipped off. The whole team wore warm-up shirts with “CC”- Coleman’s initials- on the back. The messages was well received back in Chicago, where Nichols’ dad Don posted a message to Twitter back in Chicago.
“The tribute to Cecilia before tonight’s game was nothing short of amazing,” the picture of a message addressed from the family of Nichols read. “The passion and determination exhibited by the team embodied the fighting spirit CJ showed throughout her life. The outpouring support from the entire UAlbany family has provided needed comfort during this time.”
The ovation and welcome to Nichols’ name being called in the starting lineup brought just a little more passion from the fans than usual; a little more warmth to support their star player involved. Whenever he scored a basket, made a play, or was substituted out, the ovation was just a little higher, the sense the the crowd was there for Nichols and in his corner was obvious.
“Tonight was terrific,” UAlbany Head Coach Will Brown said. “The crowd helped us tonight and I’m proud of our fans.”
After the starting lineups were introduced, it was the Nichols show. The sophomore had nine of the team’s first 11 points. He quickly tied his career high in three pointers made (four), the fourth coming just over four minutes in, scoring 12 of the first 16 Albany points to an early 12 point advantage over Hartford.
With 22 points at the half off 8-12 shooting, he began the second half the same way he did the first. Nine of the first 11 second half points, all from three land, and then his eighth three of the night under six and a half minutes into the second half. The eight made threes put him in second place all-time behind E.J. Gallup, who had nine against Army in February of 2001.
Hartford never led during the game, while Albany’s lead swelled to as much as 37 with 6:32 to go in the game. Albany led for 39:24 , the only tied part of the evening coming in the opening seconds when the teams were tied at 0 for the first 36 seconds.
“David is a great kid and player,” UAlbany coach Will Brown said. “He did a real good job of keeping his emotions in check. This might be as good a performance as I have seen. I thought he was outstanding.”
Something that would of been lost if not for Nichols was Joe Cremo’s night. The sophomore backcourt mate of Nichols had a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists, and was only two rebounds short of a triple-double. Nichols, correctly, pointed out as he left the press conference that he had tied the UAlbany assists record.
Albany, as a team, shot 13-of-25 from behind the arc, the most makes and attempts this season for them, while they held Hartford, a squad who loves to throw it up from behind the line, to just 5-of-20.
With the win the Danes clinched their third 20 win season in the last four years and move on to the America East semifinals Monday night, where they will travel to Long Island to face rival Stony Brook for a spot in the conference championship game next Saturday. The #2 seed Seawolves defeated #7 seed Binghamton 70-60 Wednesday night.
The other America East semifinal will feature #4 seed New Hampshire, who beat the #5 UMBC 74-65, as they travel to Patrick Gym to Patrick Gym to face #1 Vermont, who dismantled #8 Maine 86-41.
Brown said he would talk to Nichols and his family Thursday to decide if Nichols would go back to Chicago for Coleman’s services, which are scheduled for Saturday. Either way, Brown was sure that Nichols would be in uniform for the Danes matchup with Stony Brook on Monday.
At the end of the night, whether it was about literal or figurative family, it was about family nonetheless.
“David got to spend some time with his family which was good,” UAlbany big man Greig Stire said postgame. “But we’re happy to have him back and he’s here with his second family in Albany.”
