ORANGEBURG, SC – The Fort Valley State University Lady Wildcats (FVSU) (3-19; 3-10) figured to turn things around with a win this evening after their loss to Miles the other night, but it was not in the cards as Claflin University (13-8; 9-3) handed FVSU their second straight loss 72-52 Saturday evening at the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center.
 
Alicia Franklin and Nola Carter tied for the scoring lead with 14 points each. Franklin's scoring came off two three pointer's and went 8-of-10 at the foul line while Carter hit five baskets from the field, grabbed five boards and blocked a shot. Jazmin Williams led the team with 11 rebounds and four blocked shots, while Amiah Height added 11-points and six rebounds. Kaylan West contributed 8-points and seven boards.
 
The Lady Panthers forced the Lady Wildcats into 35 turnovers and scored 29-points off those turnovers.
 
Claflin was led by Jhanice Stokes 19-points and 13 rebounds, while Ashley Fields and Dominique Williams added 13 and 10-points apiece.
 
In the first quarter, Height's jumper tied the game at 7-7, then Franklin hit two free throws to give the Lady Wildcats their first lead 9-7 at the 5:10 mark. The Lady Panthers regained the lead and ended the quarter up 15-13.
 
With 8:10 to go in the second quarter, Claflin went up by 10 (25-15) on Dickens' 3-point shot, but Height's two foul shots made the score 17-25 with 7:03 on the clock. At the 6:30 mark, Moye's made two foul shots cut the score to 19-27. Claflin increased their lead to 35-19 with 4:25 remaining before halftime. At this point, FVSU had not scored since the 6:30 mark, but Franklin and Carter made sure the drought was broken with four free throws to cut the lead to 12 (35-23) with 3:22 left. With 3 seconds left, Carter's free throw would send the Lady Wildcats to intermissions down 41-24. 
 
Claflin started the third quarter off where they left off jumping out to a 49-30 lead. Then, Williams' layup plus one free throw, combined with Franklin's two foul shots made the score 35-49 with 4:53 left. The Lady Panthers went on a 9-4 run to end the quarter 58-39.
 
FVSU tried to come back in the final quarter and within 17 (41-58) with nine minutes left. Claflin took their largest lead of 24 (70-46) at the 3:38 mark. Over the next three minutes, the Lady Wildcats managed to add only six points.
 
The Lady Wildcats are back in action on Monday, January 29 as they play The Lady Tigers of Benedict College in Columbia, SC at 6 p.m.