Fort Valley State men top Albany State

FORT VALLEY, Ga. — The Albany State men’s basketball team could not extend its win streak to two games on Saturday night. After leading for most of the game, ASU couldn’t hold on and dropped a 74-70 decision to archrival Fort Valley State.

With the loss, the Rams fell to 10-13 overall and 4-8 in the SIAC. Albany State is currently sixth in the league’s East Division. FVSU, currently third, improved to 11-11, 9-4.

In front of a raucous crowd, Albany State started quickly and led the entire first half. A basket by Devontay Ward gave the Rams their biggest lead of the stanza at 29-19 at the 5:21 mark.

For the rest of the half, the game was closely contested. Virgil Field’s shot before the buzzer provided ASU with a 35-32 edge at halftime.

The Rams continued to hold their advantage in the second half. Michael Green scored with 13:33 left in regulation to put ASU ahead 47-40. Albany State’s lead would evaporate in the final minutes of the contest.

With the score tied at 61, Jamaal Garror put Fort Valley State in front at 63-61. Green’s jumper with 3:38 left gave Albany State the lead at 64-63. However, the Wildcats seized the game for good when Tyler Edwards’ basket put the home team back in front at 65-63.

Green scored a career-high 34 points for Albany State. He also led the team in rebounding with eight. Randy McClure recorded 12 points and seven rebounds, and Khaliq Hughes added 10 points and four rebounds.

The Rams shot 26-of-63 (41.3percent) from the field, 5-of-20 (25 percent) from 3-point range and 13-of-19 (68.4 percent) from the free throw line.

Fort Valley State was led by James Barnes and Jalen Crawford, who each scored 15 points. Garror tallied 12 points and seven rebounds.

Albany State will return to action on Feb. 11 when it hosts Miles College at the ASU HPER Gymnasium. The Golden Bears won the Jan. 28 meeting 91-73. Game time is set for 3 p.m.