MOBILE, Ala. – Three Spring Hill College players scored in double figures as the Badgers defeated Albany State University, 77-67, for a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women's basketball victory on Saturday in Arthur Outlaw Recreation Center.
Tiffany Valentine led all players with 23 points for her ninth 20-point game of the season, while
Katie Krout had a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Katie Hammond added 14 points, including four 3-pointers.
After four lead swaps in the first quarter, Hammond hit a 3-pointer to close the opening quarter to give Spring Hill an 18-16 lead. The Badgers worked the lead as high as six points, 24-18, on a Krout layup with 6:12 to play in the first half. But Albany State, led by Tyra Thompson, scored eight straight to move in front, 26-24. Valentine put Spring Hill back in front, 31-29, but ASU's Ciera Norman evened the score to enter halftime, 31-31.
The game remained close early in the second half with the Badgers and Golden Rams interchanging the lead five times. Once again, a Hammond 3-pointer put Spring Hill in front, this time 46-45 with 4:36 to play in the third quarter. Spring Hill out-scored Albany State 18-8 the rest of the way, including six points each by Hammond and Mathilde Nichols.
Krout hit a jumper to open the fourth quarter to give Spring Hill a double-digit lead, 63-53. Spring Hill led by 10 or more for eight of the final 10 minutes of action. The closest ASU cut the score was eight points, 75-67, with 1:14 to play on a Shantrell Holland steal and layup.
Thompson led Albany State (5-11, 4-3 SIAC) with 17 points and narrowly missed a double-double with nine rebounds. Ashley Johnson followed with 13 points for the Rams, and Holland scored 10.
Spring Hill (6-7, 2-2 SIAC) will remain home in the Outlaw Recreation Center to host Fort Valley State University on Monday night at 5:30 p.m.
