By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
The return of Wildcats basketball to the HPE Arena on the Fort Valley State University (FVSU) campus on Saturday night was a welcome relief for the teams and ultimately proved to be a night of celebration as both Wildcat teams defeated their old nemesis and conference foe, the Golden Rams of Albany State University.
Lady Wildcats 74, Lady Rams 69
The win for the Lady Wildcats was particularly edifying because the Lady Rams entered the game as the leader of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) with an undefeated 6-0 conference mark. On their way to handing Albany State University its first conference loss, the Lady Wildcats had four players to score in double figures.
Junior forward Kendra Evans led FVSU with a 19 point total. In addition, Evans collected five rebounds, four assists, and one steal. KaDiedra Freeland finished with a season high, personal best of 18 points. On her way to that total, Freeland hit three clutch three-point baskets to rally the Lady Wildcats.
FVSU center Jasmine Birdsong had 19 points and nine rebounds in the Lady Wildcat win. And newcomer Samara Billings finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
The Lady Rams got 22 points from Symone Wilkerson, 15 from Kourtney Alexander, 12 from Quinette Johnson, and 10 from Beneidra Colbert.
The Lady Wildcats are now 8-5 overall and 6-1 in conference play. The Lady Rams fall to 7-5 and 6-1.
Wildcats 74, Rams 62
Prior to the start of Saturday's game, FVSU Head Coach John Douglas stated that “We need a little luck tonight.” While some may doubt that such a thing as luck even exists, the one thing for certain on Saturday night was the fact that the Wildcats turned in one of their best shooting performances of the year! For the game, FVSU shot 53% from the field. They made 12 of 24 shots in the first half and 14 of 25 shots in the second half. The 53% shooting effort is the best for the Wildcats this season.
Five Wildcats scored in double figures in the bitter rivalry match up. Center Detrius McCall led the way with 17 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Desmond Lofland finished with 15 points and five rebounds. Jeremy Sledge, back from a knee injury, added 14 points with four three-point baskets. Brandon Davey and Tommy Williams had 12 points each.
This was a big win for us, said Douglas. We needed it as a momentum builder by beating our biggest rival and staying in the hunt for the conference title. I'm proud of the way the guys responded to tonight's challenge.”
With the win Wildcats raised their season mark to 3-8 and they are now 3-4 in conference play.
Due to expected inclement weather, games scheduled against Claflin University on Monday (Jan. 10th) in the HPE Arena have been postponed. The Wildcats (women and men) return to action on Thursday night at home when they host the Lions of Paine College. The women's contest will start at 6 p.m. with the men's game to follow.
-Wildcats Athletics-
