FRANKFORT, Ky. — In a game that featured 15 lead changes and nine ties, the
Albany State Lady Golden Rams delivered when it mattered most, edging
Kentucky State 58-56 in the opening round of the SIAC Championship Tournament.
From the opening tip, it was clear this would be a battle. Albany State (15-11, 13-11 SIAC) and Kentucky State traded blows for four quarters in a contest defined by grit, defensive pressure, and clutch free-throw shooting. When the final buzzer sounded, it was the Lady Golden Rams who walked off the floor still dancing.
Na'Haviya Paxton led the charge with a game-high 20 points, attacking the rim fearlessly and controlling the tempo throughout her 35 minutes on the floor. She added five rebounds and three assists while consistently putting pressure on the defense. Time and again, when Albany State needed a basket, Paxton delivered.
Paris Triplett and
Sariah Johnson anchored the effort on the glass, each pulling down eight rebounds. Triplett added seven points, two blocks, and four steals in a high-impact performance that went beyond the box score. Johnson battled inside for key offensive boards, helping Albany State finish with 15 offensive rebounds and a 40-36 advantage overall on the glass.
Tiffani Goodman contributed nine crucial points, knocking down five free throws in pressure moments, while
Jada Morgan added six points and five rebounds. Off the bench,
Taliah Grier provided an important spark with five points, including a timely three-pointer that shifted momentum.
The Lady Golden Rams made their presence felt defensively, forcing 28 Kentucky State turnovers and converting them into 22 points. Albany State's active hands produced 14 steals, and the team capitalized in transition with 16 fast-break points. Inside, they controlled the paint with 26 points and added 10 second-chance points that proved vital in a two-point contest.
The game remained tight throughout. Albany State led 14-13 after the first quarter, and neither team was able to create separation in the second or third. In the fourth quarter, with the season hanging in the balance, the Lady Golden Rams shot an efficient 41.7 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free-throw line, showing poise in the tournament spotlight.
With the score knotted and the tension rising in the closing minutes, Albany State executed down the stretch — getting defensive stops, securing rebounds, and stepping to the line with confidence. Their resilience and composure ultimately sealed the 58-56 victory.
UP NEXT
The Lady Golden Rams will take a few days off before traveling to Morrow, Ga., where they will face Edward Waters in the quarterfinals on March 4. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. at The Arena at Southlake as Albany State looks to continue its championship run.
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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 competing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors nine men's and seven women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit
www.thesiac.com.