Game One: Albany 111, Tri-City 94

The weekend started off tough for Tri-City. In Game One on Saturday, the Tide struggled to keep pace with Albany’s high-powered offense, eventually falling 111-94.

Albany came out of the gates swinging, dropping 34 points in the first quarter and setting the tone early. Tri-City battled hard, but turnovers, second-chance points, and fast-break opportunities for the Patroons made it difficult to close the gap.

Zion Styles was unstoppable for Albany, pouring in 32 points while adding 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Tri-City’s own D’evon Andrews answered back with 22 points and 7 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to keep up.

Other bright spots for Tri-City included:

• De’Monte Nelson chipped in 15 points in just 26 minutes.

• James Towns, the team’s dynamic new point guard, added 14 points and brought energy in transition.

• Rozelle Nix battled in the paint, contributing 9 points and 4 rebounds.

However, it was clear that Albany’s depth was a problem. They had six players score in double figures, and they punished every Tide mistake, keeping the momentum on their side nearly the entire night.

What Went Wrong in Game 1:

• Albany’s fast start and consistent pressure.

• Turnovers that led to easy Patroons points.

• Tri-City couldn’t match Albany’s scoring depth.

Game Two: Tri-City 106, Albany 93 — A Statement Win

Just 24 hours later, Tri-City turned the page and delivered one of their most complete performances of the season.

The Tide flipped the script on Sunday, defeating Albany 106-93 in front of a loud home crowd. Right from the tip-off, you could feel the energy was different. Tri-City came out aggressive, moving the ball, attacking the rim, and locking in on defense.

Leading the charge was once again D’evon Andrews, who exploded for 30 points on efficient shooting (9-17 from the field) while also grabbing 7 rebounds. He was relentless, getting to the line and hitting clutch threes that kept the Patroons off balance.

James Towns also had a huge game as the floor general, finishing with 14 points and 11 assists, running the offense with poise and confidence.

Big man Kyler Haynes was a force inside:

• 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists — a double-double plus major playmaking from the center spot.

• His energy on both ends sparked the Tide during critical stretches.

Other key contributions:

• Brandon Neel added 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists, doing a little bit of everything.

• KyVaris Myricks came off the bench to provide a burst of energy and defense.

Even though Albany made a couple of runs in the fourth quarter, the Tide never panicked. They stuck to their game plan, trusted each other, and closed the game out with smart plays on both ends.

What Went Right in Game 2:

• Balanced scoring attack.

• Much better ball movement (23 assists as a team!).

• Lockdown defense, especially on Albany’s key scorers.

• Winning the battle on the boards.

Key Storylines From the Weekend

🔹 D’evon Andrews is a star. Two big games back-to-back (22 and 30 points) showed why he’s the go-to guy for Tri-City. His aggression, shot-making, and leadership set the tone.

🔹 James Towns’ debut weekend: The newcomer’s steady hand at point guard was a major difference, especially in Game Two where his 11 assists orchestrated the offense beautifully.

🔹 Kyler Haynes stepping up: Haynes’ toughness inside was badly needed. His double-double showed that he’s capable of impacting games even when he’s not scoring 20 points.

🔹 Tide defense woke up: After giving up 111 points in Game One, the Tide tightened up and held a very talented Albany team to just 93 points in Game Two.

🔹 Big-time response: After a tough loss, it would have been easy to fold — but Tri-City fought back, adjusted, and sent a clear message that they’re a team with pride and potential.

Final Thoughts

Tri-City’s split with Albany this weekend showed growth, resilience, and heart. They didn’t just bounce back — they took control. This win could be a springboard as the regular season heads into its final stretch.

Fans should be excited because when this team plays together, shares the ball, and defends like they did Sunday, they can hang with anyone.

Next up: A huge rematch against the Halifax Hoopers — a chance for the Tide to keep building momentum!