The Albany Empire won their second straight game and evened its record at 2-2 overall with a 53-42 victory over the host Washington Valor on Friday in an Arena Football League contest at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Quarterback Tommy Grady connected on 16 of 24 passes, including seven touchdown tosses, for 257 yards to lead the Empire offense. Malachi Jones hauled in six of those throws for 120 yards and three scores and Joe Hills chipped in with seven catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns for Albany.

The Empire trailed 28-26 late in the second quarter but took the lead for good when Jones scored his lone rushing touchdown of the night from two yards out with just seven seconds left before halftime to give Albany a 32-28 advantage.

The Empire continued their run in the second half, scoring the only touchdown in the third quarter when Grady found Jones on a 22-yard touchdown strike to open a 39-28 lead. Albany increased its advantage to 46-28 with the first touchdown of the fourth quarter, when Grady threw a 12-yard pass to Hills.

After a Washington touchdown, Grady and Hills teamed up again, this time on a 14-yard touchdown pass, to give Albany a 53-35 lead and put away the game.