Outmatched in talent, early intensity and physicality, the NYC Internationalz, the New York City franchise of the 20-team ABA, was thrashed by the Albany Patroons on Thursday night at the Washington Street Armory in the Capital City. The Patroons recently celebrated the Hall of Fame status of former Patroon Phil Jackson, and this cold wintery night drew a crowd of about 250 enthusiastic Patroon fans. A short three weeks ago the Internationalz came up to Patroonland to get their first franchise win, however since then have not been able to muster another, this time falling behind by as much as 20 in the first half.

Strong rebounding from the first minute of the game set the tempo for the Patroons, but the NYC team hung in there somehow to forge a 20-20 tie at the end of the first quarter. Harvey Thomas and Lucious Jordan set the tone for the Patroons combining for 25 points in the first half to lead Albany to a 57-39 first half lead. Standout point guard Marvin McCullough, a product of Iona College set the tone for the Internatationalz with 14 first half points. Internationalz shooting picked up in the third quarter to pull within six to start the 4th. McCullough and Justin Marshall led the comback fot the Nats as the intensity of the Patroons waded, while the Internationalz stepped it up. However, in the beginning of the 4th Jason Salinger completed a fast break with a thunderous dunk at the 8 minute mark to put the lead back to ten and Albany never looked back. The final score was 105-93. Daryll Hill, the former St. John's standout got 7 minutes of play for Albany. He looked a bit rusty, but managed two points in the contest.