LeMoyne-Owen College pulled off a thrilling postseason triumph, defeating Albany State University 76 to 74 in the opening round of the 2026 SIAC Tournament. The Magicians avenged an early season loss to the Golden Rams and punched their ticket to the quarterfinals with a performance defined by resilience, free throw accuracy, and late game execution.

    Albany State held the lead for much of the contest, and LeMoyne-Owen did not take the lead until 1:28 remained in the second half. Despite a shooting night that did not reflect their usual efficiency, the Magicians capitalized at the charity stripe, connecting on 19 of 24 free throws and going 11 of 13 in the second half to pull ahead. LeMoyne-Owen also displayed excellent ball movement, finishing with 16 assists to only seven turnovers, a key factor in maintaining offensive balance under tournament pressure.

    LaDricus Pittman delivered a masterful performance in a defining moment. The junior guard scored 28 points, dished out seven assists, and added a steal. Pittman shot 37.5 percent from long range and went 11 of 14 from the free throw line. In the closing stretch, he either scored or assisted on eight of the Magicians' final ten points, showcasing his clutch shot making and crafty play style that kept LeMoyne-Owen in contention throughout.

    Junior forward Marial Malek recorded his fourth double-double of the season, finishing with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and an assist while shooting an efficient 75 percent from the field. His relentless energy and physical play helped the Magicians battle back and secure key possessions.

    Off the bench, Andre Walker II once again provided a spark, contributing 11 points, four assists, and two rebounds. Walker's steady play helped stabilize the offense when momentum swung late in the contest. Gerrard Living's timely shooting kept LeMoyne-Owen within striking distance, as he finished with nine points and two rebounds while going a perfect 3 for 3 from beyond the arc.

    Joshua Whitehurst helped swing the momentum with eight crucial points off the bench. One of his three pointers tied the game at 69 all in the second half, and moments later he calmly sank two free throws to give the Magicians a one point lead with 1:28 remaining.

    With the victory, LeMoyne-Owen advances to the quarterfinals of the SIAC Tournament where they will face Clark Atlanta University, the number two seed from the East. That match-up will take place this Thursday, March 5 at 5:00 p.m. at The Arena at Southlake in Morrow, Georgia, a state of the art facility that will host the next chapter of the Magicians' postseason journey. 

    The Magicians' magical run continues as they prepare to shock the conference and pursue even greater success in the SIAC Tournament.