By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
Lady Wildcats Basketball (Lady Wildcats 65, Lady Bears 53)
In last night's women's basketball contest in the Knox-Windham Gym on the Miles College campus, the Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) were looking to extend their season mark to 12 wins while the Lady Bears sought to extend their five game win streak to even six. FVSU entered the game second in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) with a 9-2 conference record and the Lady Bears entered play ranked third with a 5-3 mark. Tonight's game was the second meeting between the teams this season.
While most the game's first 20 minutes was pretty evenly played, the Lady Bears took advantage of an 8-0 scoring run with 2:46 left in the half to claim a 33-25 lead at the intermission. The Lady Bears made 10 of 26 shots and 12 of 16 free throws in the first half while FVSU managed eight baskets on 28 shots.
For the first 2:09 of the second half, the scoring drought continued for FVSU. A Jasmine Birdsong lay up with 17:51 remaining finally broke the drought. However, by then, the Lady Bears had extended their lead to 37-27.
With 11:51 remaining, the Lady Wildcats had managed to eradicate the 10 point deficit and take a two point lead, 43-41. An aggressive full court press and a better half court offense were the primary reasons for the scoring swing. By the 10:27 mark, the Lady Bears had already committed 22 turnovers and the FVSU lead was 47-45.
As the Lady Wildcat press continued to wreak havoc on the Lady Bears, the FVSU offense continued to create a scoring separation. With 2:28 left, the Lady Wildcats had their largest lead of the game, 57-51. With 1:16 left, the FVSU lead was up to seven points, 60-53.
At game's end, the Lady Wildcats had increased their season record 12-6 overall with a 65-53 win. The win elevated the Lady Wildcats to 10-2 in conference play.
The Lady Wildcats were led in scoring by KaDeidra Freeland who finished with a game-high 19 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Jasmine Birdsong had 17 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Brandi Haynes closed with 12 points and two assists.
Wildcats Basketball (Bears 66, Wildcats 63) (Overtime)
In men's action, the Wildcats of FVSU were eager to see if they could make it back-to-back conference wins with a victory over the Bears of Miles College. Winners over Lane College in their last outing, the Wildcats would be facing a Bear team that was currently on a four-game losing skid. The Wildcats entered the game with a 5-10 overall record and 5-6 in conference play. The Bears were 4-9 at the start of the game and 2-9 in SIAC action.
The early lead went to the Bears after a dunk by Jeremy Cody started the game's scoring. And while the Wildcats would lead briefly with a 5-2 margin, the Bears claimed a 7-5 lead and never trailed for the rest of the first half. While the largest lead for the Bears in half climbed to 10 points, the Wildcats were able to cut that margin to just two points at the intermission, 29-27.
The start of the second half favored the Wildcats. Holding the Bears scoreless for the first 2:30, the Wildcat offense went on a 10-0 scoring run to claim a 37-29 lead. By the 15:36 mark, that lead was whittled by the Bears to three points, 37-34.
As the time remaining dipped inside of 10 minutes, each trip down the floor became even more crucial. The Wildcats led 42-41 with nine minutes left as FVSU's Jeremy Sledge nailed a jumper to take the lead back to three points. On the other end, a follow up tip by Miles' Devyn Morris cut the Wildcat lead back to one, 44-43.
At the 6:37 mark, Perry Morris rang up a three point basket to give the Bears a 46-44 lead. The was answered by a three point shot by FVSU's Martavius Orr and followed by a field goal by Brandon Davey. After a dunk by D'jari Nelson for Miles, Orr got free on a lay up to give the Wildcats a brief lead which was quickly erased by successive baskets by the Bears.
With three minutes remaining, the Bears held a 52-51 lead. With 1:39 left, Rahim Barnes of Miles was fouled on a three point shot attempt by Orr. After Barnes sank two of the three free throws, the Bear lead edged up to 54-51.
A shot clock violation by the Bears gave the ball back to FVSU with :50 left. After Orr missed on a three point shot, Nigel Domineck gave the Wildcats new life on a tie up which led to a jump ball call and the possession arrow favored FVSU. Jeremy Sledge took full advantage of Domineck's hard work by drilling a three point basket to tie the game at 54 with just :22 left. That basket sent the game into overtime.
The Bears took the lead in the five minute overtime period when Barnes hit a three point basket at the four minute mark. On the other end, Davey converted a jumper for FVSU. The Bears led by one. On their end of the floor the Bears got a lay up which was answered by another jumper by Davey. The score was 59-58, Bears.
At the 1:47 mark Miles led 63-60. After being fouled, FVSU's Desmond Lofland made one of two free throws to make the score 63-61. With less than a minute left, a missed shot by the Bears led to a lay up by Domineck and the game was tied at 63.
After a time out, the Bears had the ball with :29 remaining. Morris fired and hit a three point basket with :13 left which proved to be the game winner. The Bears defeated the Wildcats, 66-63.
Brandon Davey led the Wildcats in scoring with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Jeremy Sledge finished with 15 points.
-Wildcats Athletics-
