Elesha Foster pushes Albany State women past Fort Valley

FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Junior forward Elesha Foster scored a career-high 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Albany State women’s basketball team past archrival Fort Valley State 79-71 Saturday night. With the win, the Lady Rams end a five-game losing streak and improved to 3-18 overall and 2-9 in the SIAC.

FVSU fell to 6-14, 5-7.

Foster got the Lady Rams off to a fast pace in the first quarter. Led by her inside scoring, ASU was able to build an early 13-6 lead. Foster finished with 11 first quarter points, and Albany State had an 18-17 edge. Each team scored 16 points in the second stanza, and the visitors took a 34-33 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, ASU made a key run to pull away from the home team. A 28-13 advantage in the period gave the Lady Rams a commanding 62-26 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Lady Wildcats made a run in the final period, but Albany State held them off with key inside baskets and free throws.

Freshman Alexandria James scored 18 points, and Zuri Frost added 12 points and seven rebounds for Albany State. The Lady Rams shot 27-of-68 (39.7 percent) from the field, 4-of-12 (33.3 percent) from 3-point range and 21-of-34 (61.8 percent) from the free throw line.

Fort Valley State was led by Briunca Caldwell, who recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds. Shekiya Tarpkins also tallied a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Daknequa White added 14 points and Alicia Franklin had another 12 points.

Albany State will return to action on Feb. 11 when its hosts Miles College. The Golden Bears won the Jan. 28 contest 64-60. Game time is slated for 1 p.m.