ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany State University (ASU) women's basketball opened the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play with a 69-66 loss to the Spring Hill College (SHC) Badgers in West Campus Arena on Saturday afternoon.
 
SHC used outside shooting to take a quick 6-1 lead over the Golden Rams (1-5, 0-1 SIAC East) and switched to an inside game to maintain a 21-18 advantage at the end of the 1^st period. ASU rallied to take a 34-33 lead into the locker room at the half, but the Badgers came out hot and retook a 50-45 lead with 3 minutes left in the 3^rd period.
 
Once again, the Golden Rams fought back to tie the game at 53-53 heading into the final 10 minutes of play and once again the Badgers responded by taking a 57-53 lead early in the 4^th quarter. SHC kept the Rams at arm's length for most of the quarter, staying 2 to 6 points ahead to hold a 69-64 lead with 12 seconds remaining. SHC came away with a crucial offensive rebound off a missed free throw to run 10 seconds off the clock before ASU found a final jumper as time expired.
 
Alexandria James of ASU had 22 points as three Golden Rams scored in double digits. Albany State shot 37.1% (23-62) from the field, including 18.2% (4-22) from 3-point range. The Golden Rams scored on 57.1% (16-28) of their free throws and lost 7 turnovers to 5 steals by Spring Hill.
 
 
The Badgers shot 41.9% (26-62) in the game, including 27.3% (6-22) from beyond the 3-point arc, but lost 15 turnovers to 8 steals by the Golden Rams. Spring Hill completed just 55% (11-20) of their free throws and dominating the rebounding with a 55-40 advantage.
  
Albany State will next visit Milledgeville, Georgia on Monday, November 25 at 5:30 p.m. to take on non-conference matchup against Georgia College.