Fourth-quarter defense helps Albany State women top Claflin

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Ashley Johnson scored a game-high 13 points to lead the Albany State women’s basketball team to a 50-42 win over Claflin University Thursday night.

With the victory, the Lady Rams improved to 6-19 overall and 6-10 in the SIAC. Claflin dropped to 14-11, 9-6.

After taking a 12-11 first quarter lead, Albany State had to fight to get back into contention. Claflin outscored the Lady Rams 17-9 in the second period to take a 29-21 halftime advantage.

In the third quarter, ASU cut its deficit to 39-34 to set up its defensive stand in the final quarter. The Lady Panthers held a 42-37 lead at the 7:35 mark. Aniefiok Udofia made a pair of free throws, and Johnson nailed a trey to tie the game at 42 with 6:17 left.

Zuri Frost made a free throw to give the Lady Rams a 43-42 edge with 5:17 remaining. Albany State held Claflin scoreless the rest of the game and made key free throws down the stretch to pull away.

Frost recorded 12 points and four assists for ASU. The Lady Rams shots 16 of 46 (43.8 percent) from the field, 6 of 12 (50 percent) from 3-point range and 12 of 20 (60 percent) from the free throw line.

Albany State will travel to Augusta on Saturday to face Paine College. The Lady Lions won the Jan. 14 meeting 68-59. Game time is slated for 1 p.m.