Rome, Ga. — The Albany State men's basketball team closed out the calendar year in unforgettable fashion, outlasting Shorter University 91–86 in overtime on New Year's Eve to extend its winning streak to five straight games.
 
IIn a back-and-forth battle that featured nine lead changes and seven ties, the Golden Rams relied on toughness, timely execution, and composure in overtime to secure a road victory, heading into the new year with strong momentum.

Albany State was led by a dominant performance from Christian Gary, who scored a game-high 24 points on an efficient 11-of-15 shooting while also grabbing nine rebounds. Gary's presence in the paint fueled the Golden Rams' interior attack, resulting in 54 points scored in the paint as they consistently challenged the Hawks at the rim.

Shakur Poteat continued his strong stretch of play with 21 points, contributing energy on both ends of the floor with three assists and three steals. Cameron Evans played a critical role in keeping Albany State competitive throughout regulation, finishing with 16 points, including a perfect 10-of-12 effort from the free-throw line. His ability to draw fouls proved vital in this physical contest.

Kendale Johnson added 14 points and three assists, while Jeremiah Edwards contributed nine points, rounding out a balanced starting effort for the Golden Rams.

The game was tightly contested from the opening tip. Albany State shot a solid 50 percent in the first half, taking a slim lead; however, Shorter responded with timely baskets and defensive pressure, forcing a tie late in regulation. Neither team could find the decisive shot in the closing moments, sending the game into overtime.

In the extra period, Albany State took control at the free-throw line. The Golden Rams converted 12 of 14 free-throw attempts in overtime, using discipline and composure to build a lead on the scoreboard. Their defense followed suit, limiting Shorter's scoring opportunities and forcing tough shots down the stretch.

Albany State finished the night shooting an impressive 53.0 percent from the field, while also capitalizing on turnovers with 20 points off those mistakes and 11 second-chance points. Despite the game's intensity, the Golden Rams remained composed, committing just nine turnovers over the 45 minutes of action.

This victory not only marked Albany State's fifth consecutive win but also provided a confidence boost as they head into conference play after the holiday break.
 
Up Next
 With the New Year's Eve victory in hand, Albany State turns its attention back to SIAC conference play. The Golden Rams will remain on the road and open the new year with a trip to Memphis, Tenn., where they will face LeMoyne-Owen on Saturday, January 3.

After closing the year with resilience and confidence, the Golden Rams will look to carry that momentum into the heart of conference competition.
 
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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.