Atlanta, GA- A strong second half surge by the Albany State University (13-7, 12-2) Lady Rams led to the dismantling of Clark Atlanta’s fiery start on their way to an 81-72 conference win Tuesday.
Freshman guard Conisha Hicks, the team’s leading scorer, recorded 17 of her game-high 27 points in the first half to lead all scorers. The Lady Panthers (5-11, 3-9) came running out of the gate and exploded to a commanding 16-point lead by the 10:41 mark, but Albany State reeled off 10 points to reduce CAU’s lead to six points at the half.
The Lady Rams took their first lead of the game with nine minutes remaining in regulation. CAU turnovers on its next two possessions lead to four quick points for Albany State who claimed for a 56-52 advantage and never trailed thereafter.
A burst of energy briefly lifted the Lady Panthers as they closed the gap to one point with 27 seconds on the clock. Perfect free throw shooting down the stretch by ASU’s Kourtney Alexander and Symone Wilkerson put the game out of reach for the Lady Panthers as they fall to the Lady Rams. This duo went 8-for-8 in the final 34 seconds.
CAU’s Shay Lewis and Shulonda rounded up the rest of the Lady Panthers who scored in double digits with 12 points each. Senior guard Jonae Prince-Coleman added nine points and seven rebounds while Hicks and Lewis pulled down six boards.
Wilkerson led six Lady Rams in double figures with 19, Quinette Johnson (16), Beneidra Colbert (13), Alexander (12), Hamilton (11), and Danielle Colson (10).
Clark Atlanta will host third-ranked Benedict College Saturday, Feb. 5th, at 6 p.m.
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