COLUMBIA, S.C. – The fourth quarter of the Albany State University Women's Basketball contest against Benedict College was too much for the Golden Rams in an 72-63 loss in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Monday evening despite a good first half performance.

THE BASICS
FINAL | Albany State 63, Benedict College 73
RECORDS | Albany State 3-14 (1-8), Benedict College 16-2 (8-1)
LOCATION | Columbia, S.C. 
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Ciera Norman led the Golden Rams in scoring with 24 points on 6-12 shooting from deep.  Alexandria James tallied 13 points.

Yolanda Givens and Tyra Thompson added seven points each. Alexandria James and Alexis smith picked up six rebounds to lead the team.

The Golden Rams would shoot the ball 62 times but connected on 25 shots.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter:

Albany State started off strong with taking a 5-4 lead in the first three minutes of play. Benedict College answered with taking a 7-5 lead on a three pointer by Ayanna Armstead.  

Alexandria James would then answer with a three pointer to give the Golden Rams a 8-7 lead. A three pointer by Yolanda Givens gave Albany State a 16-12 edge to end the first quarter. 

Second Quarter:
Benedict College State scored to open the quarter, but Tyra Thompson answered with adding a three pointer.  The Golden Rams when secured a 21-18 lead on a jumper by Alexandria James with 6:49 left to play. Octavia Hawkins answered with a three pointer to give the Tigers a 26-21 lead with 4:56 remaining in the half.

Benedict took a 38-33 lead into the locker room.

Third Quarter:

Both team fought to secure the third quarter lead but ended the quarter with  collecting 13 points each. The Golden Rams ended the quarter with securing a layup by Ciera Norman.

Benedict led 51-46 after three quarters.

Fourth Quarter:

Camryn Bostick started the scoring with a three pointer as Benedict edged its lead 54-46. Albany State answered with a basket by Tyra Thompson to cut BC's lead 54-48. Alexandria James added jumper with 2:38 remaining.

Down the stretch, Albany State added its final points of the contest with a three pointer   by Ciera Norman with 00:15 second left in the game. 

Benedict finished off the contest with a pair of free throws from the stripe for the 72-63 victory.

UP NEXT

Albany State will return home as they welcome the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University to campus on Saturday, January 25.  Tip-off is slated for 6:00pm.