Malik Dungee helps Albany High top Monroe

ALBANY — Malik Dungee scored 12 points to lead Albany to a 51-43 victory over visiting Monroe Saturday night.

Albany High boys coach Archie Chatmon was relieved to earn the victory.

“That’s a big win anytime you can beat those guys,” Chatmon said. “I told the guys in the locker room that we’re starting to come together, got a lot of things to work on, but it’s coming. We had to play really well to beat them.”

Monroe jumped out to a 15-5 lead in the first quarter, mostly due to Trentavious Jackson, who scored seven first-quarter points. However, the Indians kept it close and only trailed 15-9 by the end of the quarter.

In the second quarter, Albany went on an 8-3 run and cut the Tornadoes lead to 18-17. Then with 3:31 left in the half, the Indians took the lead on a 3-pointer from Dungee, who was also fouled on the shot and made the free throw.

Dungee hit another 3-pointer to put the Indians up 24-20 with 2:50 to go. He was then fouled again on a 3-point attempt and made two of three free throws. Albany finished the first half by getting a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Dontavious Hudson, and went to the locker room up 31-24.

Jackson led Monroe with nine first half points while Dungee led the Indians with 11 in the first half.

Albany jumped out to a 37-28 lead in the third quarter before Monroe coach Marquis Davis called time out with 1:16 to go. By the end of the third quarter, Albany enjoyed a 39-30 lead.

The Tornadoes tried to climb back into it as Keith Hayes knocked down a 3-pointer to cut the Indians’ lead to 41-33. Later in the fourth with Albany up 45-38, Monroe’s Willie Jones scored, was fouled, but missed the free throw.

However, Emershaun Offord was able to score and cut the Indians’ lead to 45-42 with 3:02 to go in the game.

However, that was as close as Monroe would get.

Jackson and Deonte Young each scored 11 for the Tornadoes.

Albany improves to 6-2 on the season, while Monroe drops to 3-6.

MONROE GIRLS 71, ALBANY 22: The Lady Tornadoes jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back as Monroe rolled to an easy victory. Toddrianna Isler led the way with 23 points.

Monroe jumped out to a 7-0 lead before Albany coach Telly Turner called time out. However, the Lady Indians still couldn’t solve Monroe’s relentless pressure defense as the Lady Tornadoes extended their lead to 16-0. Albany finally got on the board when Imani Ferguson scored with a little over a minute left. By the end of the first, Monroe had a 20-2 lead.

Albany continued to struggle on offense as Monroe’s high pressure defense smothered any chance of Albany getting off a shot. By halftime, the Lady Tornadoes had built up a 40-7 advantage.

The second half went much as the first half did with Monroe forcing Albany into turnovers and turning those turnovers into points. The Lady Tornadoes had two other players in double figures — Key Key Price scored 11 points and Kelsey Davis had 10.

Deneesha Wallace led Albany with 8 points.