Khimani Hopkinson scores 20 to lead Albany State to sweep over Kentucky State

ALBANY — When Khimani Hopkinson dropped in another soft left-handed hook and Shakur Poteat followed with a driving finish in transition, the sound inside Albany State West Arena finally changed. So did the game.

What had been a long, uncomfortable night for the Golden Rams turned in a hurry Thursday, and by the time it was over, Albany State had completed a sweep of Kentucky State that showcased both control and resolve.

The Lady Golden Rams opened the evening with a commanding 76-44 victory. The men followed by grinding out a 76-67 comeback that required patience, toughness and a decisive second-half surge.

The men’s game did not begin kindly. Kentucky State controlled the paint and the glass while Albany State struggled from the perimeter, hitting just 10 percent of its 3-point attempts in the first half. The Thoroughbreds built a nine-point lead and later pushed it to 10 as Albany State searched for a workable lineup.

That answer arrived late in the half in the form of Hopkinson.

The senior from Fort Lauderdale by way of Georgia Highlands steadied the Golden Rams with a series of left-handed hooks in the paint, trimming the deficit to 35-33 at halftime.

Kentucky State briefly pushed the lead to 42-35 early in the second half. Then Albany State flipped the game.

Led by Poteat and Cameron Evans, the Golden Rams ripped off an 18-0 run to turn a seven-point deficit into a 53-42 lead with 11:31 to play. The Thoroughbreds cut the margin to five points several times down the stretch, but never closer.

Hopkinson led Albany State with 20 points, Poteat added 19, and Evans finished with 11 off the bench.

Earlier, the Albany State women left no doubt.

Na’Haviya Paxton and Jada Morgan scored 15 points apiece as the Lady Golden Rams rolled to a 76-44 win. Paris Triplett added 12 rebounds, and Khyla Ragins scored 10 off the bench in a game that was never in doubt.

Two games, two different paths — and a sweep that showed Albany State can win with both polish and persistence.