Khaliq Hughes’ basket helps Albany State sink Clark-Atlanta

ALBANY — After Albany State had lost two games during its current four-game homestead, the Rams got a third opportunity to end a rough skid of heart-breakers.

Monday night against Clark-Atlanta, Kahliq Hughes got his own rebound and converted the game-winner with 11 seconds remaining to lift Albany State to a 77-75 thriller at the HPER Gymnasium.

Hughes’ bucket was Albany State’s only field goal during the final 8:48. But nevertheless, it was a big one.

“I missed it, I saw it come along so I was like, ‘Ok, I’ve got to follow my shot,’ ” said Hughes, who finished with 16 points. “I tried to put it back in and it went in.”

Albany State (8-8, 4-3 SIAC) snapped a two-game losing streak. And for head coach Michael Moore and his Rams, this one felt good.

“The devastation in the city, I think God smiled upon us,” Moore said. “We really deserved this win because I know for me personally, with my house being damaged, I was trying not to let my situation affect them.

“We didn’t turn it over and we got a shot at the basketball goal (late), which was the difference in the game.”

Unlike in a six-point loss to Lane College last Thursday where two late turnovers sealed Albany State’s fate or a last-minute basket like Spring Hill did on Saturday to do in the Rams, Hughes didn’t let ASU experience another heart-breaker after the Rams blew an eight-point second-half lead.

“We were just blessed,” Hughes said. “We have to keep going and fighting. At halftime, we had said we had to keep fighting.”

Clark (9-7, 3-2) started quickly and built leads as high as 12 points in the first half. The Panthers led 44-37 at halftime.

But on a night where nine different players scored, the Rams pressed forward and held Clark to 30 percent shooting (8 of 27) in the second half.

The Panthers trimmed ASU’s eight-point lead on just one field goal and by shooting six of eight from the free throw line. Clark took a two-point lead late on a pair of free throws from Lawrence Triplett with a minute left, but Hughes sank a pair of clutch free throws to tie the game at 75 with 58 seconds left.

After Clark failed to score on its ensuing possession, Hughes closed door.

“Khaliq did the drill, he two-dribbled, shot the ball and then followed his shot,” Moore said. “It was simple, old-school basketball. When you shoot the ball, you’re supposed to follow your shot. He did that and tipped in in.”

After playing three games in five days, the Rams are off until Saturday when they play host to Paine.

“We found a way to finish,” Moore said. “Hopefully we can build on this. We get a chance to rest. It’s still a process and this is just another step for these young men.”

Michael Green led the Rams with 21 points, while Devontay Ward finished with nine and Brandon Hudson added eight.