Columbia, SC- Davetom Odom scored a game-high 28 points, but the Albany State Golden Rams lost to the Benedict Tigers 94-83. With the loss, ASU falls to 6-9 overall and 2-6 in the SIAC. BC improves to 7-7, 5-3.
The Golden Rams jumped out to an early 12-7 lead behind Odom's outside shooting. Benedict answered with a 7-0 run to take a 14-12 lead at the 13:06 mark of the first half. Darshtyn Baker helped the team regain the lead, 15-14, with a three-pointer less than a minute later.
ASU held its biggest advantage of the game at 28-21 with 8:26 left in the half. However, the Tigers seized control in the latter part of the half, and the Golden Rams trailed the home team 43-36 at intermission.
In the second half, BC opened with a 14-2 run to take a 57-38 lead at the 16:35 mark. ASU trailed by its largest deficit, 78-55, with 5:04 left in regulation. The Golden Rams did cut its deficit to 92-82 with 18 seconds left, but the comeback fell short.
Chris Wheeler added 14 points and Earl Farnum netted another 11 for the Golden Rams.
ASU shot 30 of 59 (50.8%) from the field, 12 of 28 (42.9%) from three-point range, and 11 of 14 (78.6%) from the free throw line.
Albany State returns to action on January 24 when they travel to Augusta, Georgia to face the Paine College Lions. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
