Tallahassee, Fla. —The Albany State men's basketball team concluded their nonconference exhibition schedule with a competitive game against Florida A&M, using this matchup as a valuable benchmark before returning to Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play. Although they lost, the Golden Rams showcased offensive balance, strong free-throw shooting, and effective depth throughout the contest.

Sophomore Christian Gary led Albany State with an impressive performance, scoring 15 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and converting seven of eight free throws. He also contributed on the boards and provided a steady presence on both ends of the floor, helping to anchor the Golden Rams during critical moments.

The bench emerged as a standout element, particularly Malique Johnson, who scored a team-high 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Johnson's aggressive drives to the basket and ability to score in traffic kept Albany State competitive, while his energy provided a consistent offensive boost. Zach Reinhart also delivered a strong performance with 14 points, including four three-pointers, which helped stretch the defense and keep the Rattlers on their toes.

In the backcourt, Shakur Poteat contributed significantly, finishing with 12 points and six assists, effectively directing the offense and generating quality scoring opportunities for his teammates. Kendale Johnson added nine points, connecting on two three-pointers and demonstrating confidence from long range. Cameron Evans and Alex Mena also made their mark on the boards, combining to secure second-chance opportunities that led to 12 points.

As a team, the Golden Rams shot nearly 49 percent from the field, over 40 percent from three-point range, and almost 77 percent at the free-throw line, indicating that their offense is starting to find its rhythm. Albany State also received 38 points from their bench, a promising sign of depth as the season progresses.

While the final score was not in their favor, the performance provided valuable minutes and experience, preparing the Golden Rams for the core of their conference schedule.
 
Up Next:
Albany State heads to the Palmetto State to resume SIAC action with a road matchup against Allen University on Wednesday, December 17.
 
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 A