ALBANY, Ga. – Albany State University opened the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) season with a 79-71 win over Central State University at the Arena on West Campus on Nov. 24.
The Golden Rams opened the game with a 22-6 advantage and led by as many as 16 points during the first half. Orion Monford closed the gap in the final minute of the first half to shave Albany State’s lead down to 47-41.
Dwight Richards, Jr., cut the game down to two points, 47-45, but a Jonathan Henderson 3 helped create the distance. With 9:03 to play in the game, Richards evened the score, 56-56, before Malik Fisher took the lead, 58-56. ASU answered with eight-straight points to build a six-point buffer, 64-58.
Jared Harrington, who led ASU and all players with 29 points, knocked down 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to put the game away. Harrington’s points came on 63 percent shooting from the floor (10-of-16).
Following Harrington’s lead, Tyrell Williams grabbed a double-double with 14 rebounds and 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Jonathan Henderson also scored a dozen.
Dwight Richards, Jr., led the team off the bench with 13 points, while both Orion Monford and Dorian Crutcher scored 13 points. Tom Johnson dished out seven assists and had five steals in the loss for Central State.
ASU (2-4, 1-0) will host Kentucky State University in SIAC action on Monday, Nov. 26. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. CT.
