Box Score
Birmingham, Ala.—Kentucky State University women's basketball fell in the final seconds, 61-59 to Albany State University in the opening round of the SIAC tournament on Monday at Bill Harris Arena.

The Thorobrettes (11-15, 7-10) lost for the first time in their opening SIAC tournament game since the 2013-14 season when the program fell to Clark Atlanta University in the quarterfinals. The Lady Golden Rams (8-19, 8-10) will advance on to play No. 1 seeded Benedict College on Wednesday.

"Today, like most of the season, was a rollercoaster," said head coach Terrance Slater. "We played a great first half but in the second half the ball wasn't going through the net, and we made mistakes. For our returners, today was a learning experience."

KSU controlled the pace and set the tone in the first half, following the lead of senior forward Aliyah Gipson. Gipson led the team with 16 first-half points as she finished her day with a game-high 23 points and six rebounds.



Going into the half KSU held an 18-point lead, 40-22, but the Lady Golden Rams came out of the locker room looking to change the pace. ASU slowly pecked away at the KSU lead, cutting it to five in the third quarter, but KSU started to regain its stride at the end of the quarter going back up by double digits.

ASU kept applying the pressure forcing 20 total turnovers and out rebounding the Thorobrettes 37-34 on the day, but KSU maintained its lead till the closing minutes.

With KSU trailing, Gipson hit a big three from the top of the key to tie the game at 59-59 with two minutes remaining. Both teams traded multiple positions without either adding to the score, but the final possession looked to go to KSU.

Junior guard Brittani Rizzi broke free and put up a left wing three with eight seconds left but it fell short, ASU collected the rebounded on the missed attempt and pushed ahead for a quick layup putting them up 61-59 with under a second left in regulation.

Rizzi took the inbounds pass but wasn't able tp put a shot up fast enough for KSU to tie or take the lead, as the Lady Golden Rams came away with the win.