COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Allen University Men's basketball team held off conference foe Albany State University 61-53 at home Saturday for their 4th win of the season.

Allen jumped out to a 15-5 lead within the first 10 minutes of action as their defense stifled the Rams offense. AU would increase their lead to 27-16 at the 3:30 mark before heading into the break up by ten at 29-19. AU held ASU to just 25 percent first-half shooting. 

In the second half, Allen would go up by 15 at 34-19 just three minutes into the half before ASU cut it to 8 points, 34-26, just two minutes later. AU would then go back up by 14 at 40-26 just a couple minutes later before ASU got to within 7 at 12:30 mark as the teams continued to trade runs. Albany would not be able to get to within seven points of the Jacket Men for the rest of the game as clutch free throws down the stretch by AU held off the Rams. The two foes have split the season series. 

Senior wing Cameron Sembly led the Jackets with 17 points and 2 blocks on 6 of 7 shooting as the AU men shot nearly 40 percent for the game and 80 percent from the free-throw line.

Guards Chase Cook and senior Darius Williams each scored 12 points apiece with Cook adding a team-best six assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals while Williams had a team-high six rebounds and 2 assists. Junior forward Mohamed Alkadi then added 6 points and 3 rebounds while senior forward Reggie Reynolds played all 40 minutes and recorded 5 points and 5 rebounds with 4 assists and 2 steals. 

Freshmen Nakia Johnson and Peyton Weathersby also combined for 7 points and 7 rebounds with Johnson adding 2 blocks while Weathersby led with a team-best five steals.

Allen improves to 4-18 overall and 4-13 in the SIAC East as the move up a spot in the standings to 7th place. Albany State falls to 7-16 overall and 7-10 in conference.
The men will next return to action on Monday for Senior Night as they continue their homestand when they host Fort Valley State at 7:30 pm to honor their four seniors.