Staff reports

Senior guard Kourtney Alexander scored a game-high 23 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Albany State Lady Rams to an 86-58 victory over the LeMoyne-Owen Lady Magicians. With the win, ASU improves to 9-3, 4-1 in the SIAC. LeMoyne-Owen falls to 0-15, 0-5.

The Lady Rams were able to use their defense to break open a close game. Holding a slim 22-17 lead at the 7:33 mark, Albany State used a 9-0 run to take a 29-17 advantage with 6:21 left in the half. A half court three-pointer by Alexander at the buzzer provided ASU with a 40-26 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Lady Rams used a key 17-0 run to take a commanding 62-30 lead with 13:29 remaining in regulation.

Artisha Holston added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Lady Rams. Point guard Mecca Frost recorded nine assists, seven rebounds and three steals to go along with five points.

Albany State shot 29-65 (44.6%) from the field, 6-19 (31.6%) from three-point range, and 17-26 (65.4%) from the free throw line. The Lady Rams recorded 19 assists and 12 steals and forced the Lady Magicians into 26 turnovers.

In the men’s game, senior forward Joe Williams recorded a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Albany State Golden Rams past the LeMoyne-Owen Magicians, 80-68. With the victory, ASU improves to 6-7, 3-2 in the SIAC. LOC falls to 4-8, 2-3.

The Golden Rams led the entire game. Derry Thorpe’s three-pointer gave ASU an early 3-0 lead it would never relinquish. Leading 13-8, Albany State went on a 7-0 run to take a 20-8 lead with 14:44 left in the first half.

A lay-up by Doug Storey provided ASU with its biggest lead, 34-15, with 9:01 remaining in the first half. Albany State held a 47-33 advantage at intermission.

In the second half, the Golden Rams were able to withstand a run by the Magicians. Leading only by nine, 56-47, at the 13:22 mark, Albany State ignited another run. A three-pointer by Storey gave Albany State a 72-52 advantage, its largest of the game.

Jamorris Gaines netted a game-high 23 points and grabbed five rebounds for the Golden Rams. Rachard Lofton and Doug Storey added 12 points apiece. Lofton also had six assists, and Williams blocked four shots.

The Golden Rams shot 28-58 (48.3%) from the field, 10-19 (52.6%) from three-point range and 14-18 (77.8%) from the free throw line. Albany State outrebounded LOC 39-33.

The Albany State Rams and Lady Rams return to action on Thursday, January 16th when they travel to Jackson, Tennessee to take on the Lane College Lady Dragons. Game time is slated for 5:30 p.m. (central time) for the ladies, 7:30 p.m. for the men.