Columbia, S.C. — The Albany State men's basketball team continued its strong run through conference play on Friday night, earning a hard-fought 75–68 victory over Benedict College and extending its SIAC win streak behind a balanced offensive attack and timely perimeter shooting.
 
Albany State set the tone early in the game, shooting confidently from beyond the arc and managing several momentum swings. The match featured nine lead changes. Shakur Poteat once again led the way for the Golden Rams, scoring a game-high 22 points while playing 38 minutes. He made seven of his 13 shots from the field, hit four three-pointers, and was perfect from the free-throw line, providing steady leadership on both ends of the court.

The backcourt duo of Jeremiah Edwards and Kendale Johnson complemented Poteat with strong scoring performances. Edwards contributed 16 points, making six field goals and sinking a pair of three-pointers, which helped Albany State maintain separation during crucial stretches. Johnson had one of his most efficient shooting nights of the season, scoring 15 points and hitting five shots from long range, which stretched the defense and opened driving lanes for his teammates.

Albany State also benefited from unselfish ball movement throughout the contest. Cameron Evans facilitated the offense with six assists while contributing defensively. Zachary Reinhart provided a spark off the bench, scoring nine points and dishing out six assists in just 18 minutes. Reinhart's timely shooting helped the Golden Rams maintain their momentum when the Tigers attempted to rally.

Inside, Christian Gary and Michael Walker dominated the boards during critical moments, limiting second-chance opportunities and allowing Albany State to capitalize in transition. The Golden Rams effectively turned defense into offense, scoring 31 points off turnovers and shooting over 50 percent from the field for the game, including an impressive 51.7 percent from three-point range.

As Benedict made a late push, Albany State remained composed, making smart decisions and converting free throws to seal the victory. This win not only keeps the Golden Rams rolling in conference play but also highlights their growing confidence and chemistry as the season progresses.
 
Up Next:
Albany State returns to the Peach State for a non-conference New Year's Eve matchup against Shorter University on Wednesday, December 31.
 
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.