Both Albany State teams eliminated from SIAC Tournament

Albany State’s women’s basketball team had its SIAC tournament trip cut short Thursday night as it fell to Kentucky State 71-65 in overtime.

The Rams were able to take a 28-16 lead at the half after an abysmal first half by Kentucky State. The Thorobreds shot 18.8 and 15.4 percent in the first and second quarter and struggled overall to get anything going offensively.

The two teams traded baskets at the beginning of the third quarter, but the Rams still held on to a 32-18 lead and appeared to be in control of the game and until the offense stagnated in the fourth quarter.

Achanti Layfield knocked down two free throws to give the Rams a 49-38 lead with 7:44 left in the game, but from there ASU managed just two points in a little more than three minutes. During that stretch, KSU put together a 12-point run capped off by Zauria Kilgo’s 3-pointer to cut the lead to one.

Kayla Green knocked down free throws late in the game to maintain the lead in the final seconds, but KSU had the final shot and Brooke Wallace converted a layup at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

In overtime the Rams were outscored 10-4.

In her final game as a Rams player, Elesha Foster led the way with 16 points, followed by fellow senior Green with 15. Alexandria James also finished the night with 15 points.

ASU ends its season with a 17-12 record.

Clark Atlanta (men) 57, Albany State 55

It was a close contest throughout as 12 lead changes took place in the second half, but an untimely scoring drought ultimately doomed the Rams.

Jared Harrington’s layup with 3:25 left in the game was the final field goal Albany State scored in the contest as the Panthers went on to hit two of their final four free throws in the final seconds to win the game.

Harrington led the way for ASU with 14 points, followed by Rahdin Hughes with 12. Mike Green led the Rams in rebounding with 11.

ASU finishes the season with an 8-21 record.