Albany, Ga. — The Albany State women's basketball team battled from start to finish but came up just short in a 61–56 loss to rival Fort Valley State on Saturday evening.

The Lady Wildcats opened the contest by winning the tip and converting the first basket, but Albany State quickly answered. Sariah Johnson sparked the response with a fast-break layup, set up by Na'Haviya Paxton, to knot the score early and set the tone for a competitive opening quarter. The two teams traded baskets throughout the period before Paxton calmly knocked down a pair of free throws to give the Lady Golden Rams their first lead of the night. Albany State held a narrow 12–11 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Momentum continued to swing in favor of the Lady Golden Rams to start the second quarter. Albany State opened the period on a 7–2 run, pushing the lead to 19–13, and found an offensive rhythm that allowed them to stretch the advantage to 23–13 midway through the quarter. Fort Valley State responded late, trimming the margin, but Albany State maintained a slim 25–24 lead heading into halftime.

The second half, however, belonged to the Lady Wildcats. Fort Valley State used a strong offensive push after the break to regain control of the game, gradually building a lead that Albany State struggled to overcome despite multiple efforts to rally. The Lady Golden Rams continued to compete on both ends, but timely baskets by Fort Valley State proved to be the difference down the stretch.

Albany State showed toughness on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 49–44, a testament to their effort and physicality throughout the contest. Despite the advantage inside, the Lady Golden Rams were unable to fully capitalize as Fort Valley State closed out the game in the final minutes.

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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.