Albany College of Pharmacy wins the first-ever Women's Division II National Championship

UNIONTOWN, PA – In the battle of Hudson Valley Conference rivals, the Albany College of Pharmacy Panthers defeated the Berkeley College (NY) Knights 60-54. In a rematch from a February 10^th game the Panthers avenged a three-point loss and earned their first USCAA National Championship in any sport.

The Panthers’ 60 point performance was their highest scoring output of the tournament, but their tough defense was the story of the tournament clamping down on University of Cincinnati-Clermont, Penn State Beaver, and Berkeley College (NY) en route to their championship. Albany was paced by USCAA All-American and Tournament MVP Alyson Johnson’s 19 points (8-15). Johnson got Albany off to an early lead with eight straight points, a lead that they would hold for the rest of the contest.

Four of the five starters for an Albany team that received only two points off the bench scored in double figures. Kelsey Johnson had 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, Alexa Schooley has 12 points, and Taylor Sullivan added a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in the well-balanced Panther attack. As a team the Panthers shot 45% from the floor and dished out 18 assists, assisting on all but four of their made baskets.

Berkeley College (NY) was led once again by USCAA All-American Milan Germany. Germany scored 14 points (4-13) and grabbed 15 rebounds while playing in all 40 minute of the game. The Knights were undone in their championship bid by poor shooting (34%) and connecting on only 12-21 (57%) free throws. Aiyesha Brown added 14 points and Janay Thomas chipped in 10 for the Knights in the loss.