ALBANY, Ga. - Senior Ciera Norman scored a career-high 35 points, and the Albany State women's basketball team pulled away early and cruised to an 83-50 victory over Paine College tonight at the ASU West Campus Arena.

Norman's 35 points – the most by an Albany State player this season – came on two 3-point field goals, nine two-pointer and 15 free throws. Alexandria James added 24 points, and Tyra Thompson scored eight off the bench. Alexis Smith pulled down a team-leading nine rebounds despite playing just 29 minutes. Norman, Breanna Wilson and Tyra Thompson all added eight rebounds each respectively.

Albany State scored 11 points off 10 Paine College turnovers and got 16 points from the bench, which played its most minutes of the season. The Golden Rams out-rebounded Paine 47-40 and had five steals – three from Norman.

The Tigers jumped out to a quick 5-3 lead and led 17-13 at the end of one quarter. That turned into a 36-27 halftime lead.

Albany State would outscore the Lions in the third quarter to take a 61-42 lead to the final period. The Golden Rams would then empty the bench in the fourth, getting double-digit minutes from four of seven bench players.

Keondra Archie led Paine with 12 points and four rebounds. Tania Ward added five.