Albany State men fall in regular-season finale

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Albany State men’s basketball team had control of the game for most of the first half, but it could not capitalize to finish.

ASU had a chance to snap its losing streak, but late turnovers led to a 76-72 loss to Paine College Saturday in the regular-season finale.

With the loss, the Rams finish the regular season with a 10-18 overall record and 5-12 SIAC mark. Albany State has lost six straight and 10 out of its last 11 contests. Paine concludes the regular season at 3-23, 0-17.

Albany State and Paine engaged in a close game for most of the first half. With the score tied at 30 at the 5:21 mark, JaDon Davis nailed a 3-pointer to ignite a 15-4 run to give ASU a 45-34 advantage with 41 seconds left in the half. A 3-pointer at the buzzer by Paine’s Kaderious Compton cut the Rams’ lead to 45-37 at halftime.

In the second half, the Lions went on a key run of their own to take the lead. With 5:30 left in regulation, Paine built a 69-59 edge. The Rams answered the run with a 13-2 spurt and reclaimed the lead at 72-71 with 37 seconds left to play.

However, Antione Williams hit a jumper to put Paine back in front at 73-72 with 15 seconds left. After an Albany State turnover, Malcom Whittington converted the steal into a basket and provided the home team with a 75-72 edge. The Lions added a free throw after another Rams’ turnover.

Jackson Lenyear led Albany State in scoring with 14 points. Devontay Ward had nine points and six rebounds, while Randy McClure, Jayson Snearl and Michael Green each added eight points.

The Rams shot 27-of-56 (48.2 percent) from the field, 5-of-15 (33.3 percent) from 3-point range and 13-of-16 (82.3 percent) from the free throw line.

Albany State will play its next game in the 2017 SIAC Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament. The event will be held at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Ala.