Savannah State shot better than Albany State from field, (48.0 % to 35.6%), from three, (57.1% to 15.4%) in defeating the Golden Rams 58-54 Saturday afternoon.
Albany State got off to a horrendous start; the Golden Rams’ first six possessions ended with 4 turnovers and 2 missed shots. They did not score their first points until Kayla Milner knocked down a three-pointer at the 6:56 mark of the period.
Fortunately for Albany State, Savannah State was unable to capitalise , as they themselves had ball security issues, turning the ball over 4 out of their first possessions. Savannah State would settle in, comitting just one more miscue in the period and would take an 18-11 lead into the second period.
Savannah State maintained the lead in the second quarter, stretching their advantage to as much as nine points at 28-19 on Bria Gibbs’ jumper at the 5:59 mark of the period. For the balance of the period, Albany State outscored Savannah State 11-4 to slice the deficit to three at 32-29 at halftime.
Albany State took their first lead of the afternoon ,32-33, on Haleigh Ross’ jumper with 8:59 to go in the game. After ASU got out in front by three points at 35-32, buckets from Amani Hamilton, Jashiyah Jones, and Amari Heard put SSU back in front, 38-35. The Golden Rams jumped back out in front at 41-40 on an Ayah Foxx-Howard jumper, and built a five-point advantage , 46-41 at the end of three quarters.
Savannah State’s offense roared to life fourth quarter, shooting 77%, while Albany State’s sputtered , shooting a mere 15.9% from the floor. Spurred on by that white-hot offensive proficiency , SSU more than doubled ASU’s scoring, 17-8 in the period and once Nyla Allen’s jumper put Savannah State in front at 49-47, it was a lead the Tigers would have for good, as the Golden Rams could not muster the offense to reclaim the lead.
Milana Holmes was the lone Albany State player in double figures with 15 points. With the loss, the Golden Rams are now 7-17 overall and at 5-13, occupy the basement of the SIAC’s eastern division.
Nyla Allen lead three Savannah State double figure scorers with 12 points; Bria Gibbs added 11 points and Amari Heard chipped in with 10 points. The win lifts SSU to 17-6 overall and remain first in the SIAC East at 13-6.
