Louisville and Albany Roll in Houzz Gotham Classic

Both Louisville and Albany posted impressive wins on opening night of the Houzz Gotham Classic presented by TicketIQ.

In Louisville, the Cardinals used an 18-0 second half run to take an 86-60 win over Siena at the KFC Yum! Center.

With Louisville leading 48-47 with 15:26 to play, the Cardinals went on their 18-0 run to pull away from the Saints. Anas Mahmoud (pictured) came within a blocked shot of a triple-double with a team-high 17 points, 13 rebounds, and nine blocks. The nine blocks not only set an individual tournament single game record, it also set an individual tournament (4 games) record and came within a block of the team single game record set by Ohio State in 2013. As a team, Louisville blocked a tournament record 15 shots.

Quentin Snider netted 16 points, Jordan Nwora had 11 points, and Ray Spalding recorded 10 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks.

Siena was led by the 15-point efforts of Nico Clareth and Sammy Friday. Friday also had a game-high 15 rebounds.

In Albany, Joe Cremo posted 26 points and six rebounds as Albany took an 84-68 decision from Bryant at the SEFCU Center.

David Nichols netted 17 points, Devonte Campbell had 12 points, and Greig Stire had 11 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.

As a team, the Great Danes were 33-of-61 (.541) from the field while limiting the Bulldogs to 24-of-61 (.393) shooting.

Bryant was led by Brandon Carroll and his 15 points. Iknenna Ndugba recorded 13 points and seven assists, and Taylor McHigh and Sabastian Townes scored 11 points apiece.

The Houzz Gotham Classic presented by TicketIQ continues Saturday when Memphis hosts Bryant at 1:00pm (ET) and Siena is home to Albany at 7:30pm (ET) for the Albany Cup.