Image via Albany State Athletics
Despite Albany State Lady Golden Rams leading for over half the game (57.2%) and forcing 33 turnovers, it proved not enough, as ASU fell in overtime to Tuskegee, 70-65.
The first quarter was a close affair that saw four ties and 5 lead changes. After Erin Perry’s jumper tied the game at 12, a 6-0 burst put Albany State up 18-12 with 1:18 left in the quarter and the Lady Rams would take an 18-13 lead into the second quarter.
Tuskegee outscored Albany State 10-4 over the first four minutes of the second quarter to take a 23-22 lead on Morgan Jones’ three-pointer. Tuskegee would show the way for the rest of the quarter until Na’Haviya Paxton’s layup with 0:37 tied the game heading into halftime.
The Lady Golden Rams forced 7 Tuskegee turnovers in the third quarter. However, they were unable to take advantage, as the Golden Tigers shot 46.2% (6-13) from the floor and 75% (3-4) from downtown. Albany State shot just 36.4% (4-11) from the floor and clanked their lone three-point attempt. ASU also did itself no favors by connecting on just 6 of its 14 free throw attempts.
The fourth quarter was a nip-and-tuck affair that featured multiple ties and lead changes. A Tiffani Goodman free throw put Albany State up 51-50 with 4:46 left in the contest. Up, 58-53, the Lady Golden Rams seemed to have control of the game, but that proved not to be the case, as TU tied the contest at 60 when Breanna Glaze canned a three with just 0:11 left in regulation, sending the game into overtime.
Tuskegee led for 3:37 of the overtime period, while Albany State was never able to show the way. The Lady Golden Rams shot just 14.5% (1-7) in the extra frame and bricked half of their 6 free throw attempts. After Goodman’s layup tied the game at 64, Erin Perry’s free throw put Tuskegee up for good, as ASU only scored a single point over the remaining 2:31 of overtime.
Jada Morgan led 3 Albany State players in double figures with 15 points. Sariah Johnson posted a double-double 14 points and a team high 11 rebounds, while Tiffani Goodman added 11 points and 7 boards.
Tenea Robinson and Arianna Durrell paced a quartet of Lady Golden Tigers with 15 points each. Breanna Glaze and Shemiah Mackin each scored 12, with Mackin adding a team-high 15 rebounds.
The loss dropped Albany State to 10-5 overall and 9-5 in the SIAC. Up next for the Lady Golden Rams is a matchup with Fort Valley on January 25. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 pm EST.
