Albany, Ga. – In a thrilling home and conference opener inside the HPER Gym Complex, the Albany State Lady Golden Rams showcased poise, grit, and promise despite a narrow 71–69 setback to the LeMoyne-Owen Lady Magicians. Though the result didn't fall their way, the Lady Golden Rams delivered a performance packed with encouraging takeaways as they begin their SIAC journey.

From the opening tip, Albany State brought energy and execution—jumping out to a commanding 24–11 first-quarter lead, their largest of the evening. The fast start was fueled by disciplined defense, standout rebounding, and efficient offensive movement that had the hometown crowd fired up.

Jada Morgan led the Golden Rams with a strong two-way effort, dropping 19 points while grabbing five rebounds and tallying two steals, showing veteran composure in key moments. Na'Haviya Paxton added 15 points and four assists, attacking the rim with confidence and creating opportunities in transition.

In the paint, Sariah Johnson was a force, pulling down a team-high 11 rebounds and adding 8 points, controlling the glass and giving ASU a second-chance presence. The frontcourt duo of Tiffani Goodman and Paris Triplett added balance, combining for 16 points, six assists, and strong defensive activity.

Off the bench, Kamya Young provided a spark, notching 8 points, one steal, and several key defensive stops that helped ASU maintain momentum late.

Despite several lead changes and five ties, the Lady Golden Rams continued to fight wire-to-wire, showing resilience after LeMoyne-Owen surged in the second quarter. Albany State outperformed the Magicians in several critical areas, including 47 total rebounds, nine steals, and controlling the pace in spurts that showcased the true potential of this young roster.

With multiple players posting solid scoring numbers, double-digit free-throw attempts, and strong defensive stretches, Tuesday's matchup highlighted the foundation Head Coach Todd Triplett is building—one rooted in effort, unity, and growth.
 
Up next, Albany State heads into the Thanksgiving break before returning to action on the road. The Lady Golden Rams will travel to Wilberforce, Ohio, to face Central State on Saturday, Nov. 29 in their next SIAC matchup.
Stay Connected
For complete coverage of ASU Athletics, follow us on social media @asugoldenrams (Instagram), @ASUGoldenRams (Twitter), ASU Rams Nation (Facebook), or visit the official home of the Golden Rams at www.asugoldenrams.com.
 
ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football with all teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.