Jackson, Tenn. — In a game that lived up to every ounce of its intensity, the Albany State women's basketball team showed grit, composure, and heart, edging Lane College 75–74 Monday evening inside J.F. Lane Gymnasium. The win pushes the Lady Golden Rams to 7–3 overall and 6–3 in SIAC play, extending their winning streak to five straight games.
From the opening tip to the final horn, the contest was a back-and-forth battle, featuring 21 lead changes and 15 ties, as neither team was willing to blink. Albany State ultimately made just enough plays in the closing moments to silence the home crowd and secure one of its most dramatic wins of the season.
Albany State set the tone early, shooting nearly 58 percent in the first quarter and taking a slim 25–23 lead after one. The Lady Dragons answered in the second period, using defensive pressure and timely baskets to pull ahead briefly, but the Lady Golden Rams stayed poised, heading into halftime within striking distance.
The second half mirrored the first—physical, fast-paced, and unpredictable. Albany State leaned on its defensive pressure to generate offense, scoring 32 points off turnovers and adding 22 fast-break points, key factors in keeping pace with Lane's attack.
Down the stretch, Albany State's toughness shone brightest at the free-throw line. Despite a few shooting struggles late in the half, the Lady Golden Rams converted 10 free throws in the fourth quarter, allowing them to maintain their slim advantage in the final minute.
Jada Morgan led the charge with a game-high 19 points, attacking the basket and delivering in key moments.
Na'Haviya Paxton added 15 points, seven rebounds, and a game-changing six steals, setting the tone defensively while battling through contact all night.
Sariah Johnson was steady and strong inside, finishing with 13 points, five rebounds, and three blocks, while
Paris Triplett added 12 points and a team-high five assists, helping orchestrate the offense under pressure.
The Lady Golden Rams' bench also played an important role, providing timely minutes and energy in a hostile road environment, as Albany State won the rebounding battle 28- and added 13 second-chance points.
When the final buzzer sounded, Albany State had secured a statement road victory over a Lane team that entered the night with just one loss on the season, further solidifying the Lady Golden Rams' surge in SIAC play.
Up Next: Albany State returns home to continue conference action, hosting Kentucky State on Thursday, January 8, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
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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.
