Perimeter shooting propels Albany State over Marauders, 79-71
 
ALBANY, Georgia – The Central State Marauders lost the opening game of conference play, 79-71, to the Albany State Golden Rams on Saturday.
 
CSU is now 1-4 overall and 0-1 in SIAC play. ASU improved to 2-4 and 1-0 in the conference.
 
The Golden Rams jumped out to a 31-12 lead by the 11:57 mark of the first half. The Marauders slowly chipped away at the deficit. Freshman Dorian Crutcher made three straight shots and a layup by Tom Johnson cut the lead down to single digits, 44-35, by the 3:35 mark. CSU closed out the quarter with a four-point play as guard Orion Monford converted three-pointer while being fouled. Monford hit his free throw at the end of the half to cut the lead down, 47-41.
 
In a highly contested second half, Albany State narrowly prevailed thanks to its shooting efficieny from the field. The Rams made five of 11 three-pointers and made nine of 14 free throws. With score 66-63 in favor of ASU, the Rams manufactured a 9-0 run to build a healthy 75-63 lead with 1:09 left. The Golden Rams finished out the half converting five of six free throws.
 
CSU made just six of three three-point attempts while ASU converted 13 of 25 shots from distance.
 
The Rams were led by Jared Harrington's 29 points.
 
CSU's scoring was paced by 15 points from Dwight Richards, r.
 
CSU will continue conference play on Monday at Fort Valley State University.
 

Next Game
Opponent: Fort Valley State (1-3)
Date:  Monday, November 26
Tip-off: 7:30 pm
Location: Fort Valley, Georgia
 
 
Notes
 
Richards, Jr. was named to the SIAC All-Preseason Team on Friday.
 
Saturday's game was the first of six straight road games spanning from Nov. 24 through Dec. 8.