Golden Rams knock off SIAC-leading FVSU on homecoming

Box Score ALBANY- Seniors Jamorris Gaines and James Lodman, Jr. each scored 15 points to lead the Albany State Golden Rams to an 87-79 homecoming victory over the Fort Valley State Wildcats, the SIAC's top team. With the win, ASU improves to 13-12 overall and 10-7 in the SIAC. FVSU fall to 17-7, 13-2.

The huge capacity crowd was treated to an exhilarating first half. Fort Valley State took an early 8-0 lead in the opening moments. The Golden Rams tied the game at 19 on Demetri Wheeler's basket at the 11:08 mark. From that moment, the two teams exchanged the lead on several occasions. Albany State's run was highlighted by two high-flying dunks by Eric Martin that brought the giant crowd to its feet.

With the score tied at 38 and 1:38 left in the half, Wheeler made another basket to give ASU at two-point lead. Gaines hit a three-pointer before the halftime buzzer to give the Golden Rams a 43-38 advantage.

In the second half, Albany State would increase its lead and hold off an FVSU rally. Lodman hit a trey at the 17:41 mark to put the Golden Rams ahead 51-41. Darshtyn Baker's layup with 6:58 to play gave Albany State its biggest lead, 73-59. After a Wildcat basket, Baker scored again to make the score 75-61 with 5:59 remaining in regulation.

The Wildcats answered with an 11-0 run, and cut ASU's lead to three, 75-72, with 2:28 left in the game. Baker made two free throws and Rachard Lofton made a jumper in the lane to give Albany State some breathing room and a 79-72 advantage at the 1:11 mark.

Albany State made enough free throws down the stretch to send the Wildcats to their second conference defeat of the season.

Baker netted 14 points and Larry Bullock added 10 more for the Golden Rams. Joe Williams and Gaines led the team in rebounding with eight and seven, respectively.

Albany State shot 31-62 (50%) from the field, 11-26 (42.3%) from three-point range and 14-19 (73.7%) from the free throw line.

The Golden Rams will return to action on Monday, February 24^th when they travel to Atlanta, Georgia to face the Clark Atlanta Panthers. Albany State won the initial meeting 90-88. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m.

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