Game Recap: Albany State (GA) Tops Central State (OH) 67-60 in a SIAC Clash

In a hard-fought Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) matchup, Albany State University (2-5, 1-3 SIAC) secured a 67-60 victory over Central State University (4-3, 3-1 SIAC) on December 9th at Beacom/Lewis Gym in Wilberforce, OH. The win came behind a strong second-half performance, highlighted by standout efforts from Abbi Peterson, who was named Player of the Game.

First Half: The game started with tight defense on both ends, with Central State holding a slight 15-14 lead after the first quarter. Albany State struggled from beyond the arc, missing all their three-point attempts in the opening period, but managed to take control with a 10-point second-quarter run, limiting Central State to just 10 points in the second. The teams entered the halftime break with Albany State leading 24-22.

Third Quarter: The third quarter proved to be the turning point for Albany State. They exploded offensively, shooting 57.9% from the field and knocking down two three-pointers. The team outscored Central State 28-21 in the period, extending their lead to 52-43 heading into the final frame.

Fourth Quarter: Central State mounted a comeback in the final quarter, as they cut the lead down to just 5 points with under two minutes to go. However, Albany State held steady, relying on key free throws and a fast break layup from India McIntosh to close out the game. Despite a late surge from the Marauders, Albany State managed to seal the win, outscoring Central State 15-12 in the fourth quarter.

Player of the Game: Abbi Peterson Abbi Peterson was a key contributor for Central State, finishing with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists in 36 minutes. Her scoring efforts, including two crucial three-pointers, kept Albany State in the game early and helped them maintain their momentum throughout the second half.

Other Notable Performances:

• Breana Griffin contributed 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Yasmine Fairchild grabbed 12 rebounds for Albany State.
• For Central State, Abbigail Peterson led the way with 14 points and 2 assists, while Jacquel Bronaugh added 13 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. Samara Gibson contributed 10 points and 4 rebounds.

Team Stats:

• Points in the Paint: Albany State dominated inside, outscoring Central State 38-26.
• Bench Points: Albany State's bench played a crucial role, outscoring Central State's 41-34.
• Turnovers: Central State capitalized on turnovers, scoring 21 points off Albany State's 23 turnovers.

Despite shooting 17.6% from three-point range and struggling at times with their offense, Albany State's defense and bench depth ultimately made the difference, as they handed Central State their first loss in SIAC play this season.

Final Score: Albany State (GA) 67, Central State (OH) 60

Central State will look to bounce back as they play home vs Ohio Dominican on Wednesday at 6pm.