Lyons Returns the Favor and Takes Albany for a Ride in 88-64 Win

Mark Lyons was snowed in. The University of Albany could not fly out.

Lyons from Schnectady, New York which is 20 miles from the New York capital was offered a ride along with teammate, Tu Holloway when Albany decided to take a bus to Cincinnati.

Lyons joined the Great Danes on the 12 hour drive.  Holloway couldn't make the three hour trip to Albany and found another route.  He arrived at 2pm this afternoon after a day of hard travel.  He was visibly tired.

How did Lyons show his gratitude?  He set a career high with six 3-point shots and a team-high 18 points.

"We should have left him in Albany," Great Dane coach Will Brown said.  "Who is going to reimburse me for the meal I bought him at the Olive Garden?"

"I got on my guys for leaving him open but he hit shots right in front of our bench.  My guys said 'coach, he's in another area code'" Brown said.

All five Musketeer starters scored in double figures.  Jamel McLean scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.  Dante Jackson scored 14.  Kenny Frease scored 17 and Holloway had 11 and managed nine assists.

"He played great," Xavier coach Chris Mack said of Holloway.  "Our offense was the best its been all year."

Xavier improves to 8-3 and Albany is now 7-7.

The Great Danes were led by senior guard, Tim Ambrose with 24 points. Logan Aronhalt scored 17 and Mike Black added 11.

Junior forward, Billy Allen, of Hamilton High hit a 3-point shot for Albany.  Allen is the son of former Hamilton Big Blue head coach, Larry Allen, who led Hamilton to the 2004 Ohio State Championship.

Larry Allen was a teammate of former NBA star, Kevin Grevey, in his high school days at Hamilton Taft.