By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
The 4-2 Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) traveled to Fairfield, Alabama on Tuesday, December 13th, for a 5:30 p.m. match up with the 2-4 Lady Bears of Miles College (MC). In addition to it being a conference contest, career victory number 599 was on the line for Lady Wildcats Head Coach Lonnie Bartley. Standing in his way, however, was one of his best friends, Lady Bears Head Coach Phillip Wallace, and of course the Lady Bears. After a 74-52 win, the Lady Wildcats and Coach Bartley put a new spin on an old adage, “When chasing a milestone, friendship must sometimes be compromised.
Bartley's 599th victory was fairly seamless. Leading from start to finish, the Lady Wildcats shot 37% (10 of 37) from the floor in the game's first 20 minutes. By contrast, the Lady Bears made just four of 24 shots in the first half. Couple the Lady Bears 17% shooting with 20 first half turnovers and the reason for the FVSU 18 point halftime lead (29-11) was patently clear.
In the second half, the Lady Wildcats topped their first half shooting performance. FVSU made 16 of 35 shots for a 45.7% conversion rate in the second half. Four of the 16 baskets came from three point range. While the shooting of the Lady Bears got better in the second half (12 of 24), the comfortable FVSU scoring margin was never really challenged by the Lady Bears.
Freshmen guard Jayme Gilbert led the Lady Wildcats in scoring. She finished with a game-high 12 points. Thomasville, Georgia native Carmenonique Dawson added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Lady Wildcats. Kamissah Shaw led the Lady Bears with nine points.
Now at 5-2 overall and undefeated in conference play (4-0), the Lady Wildcats take a break from conference action on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. when they host regional rival, the Lady Wolves of West Georgia University. However, the chase for career win number 600 for Bartley and the Lady Wildcats will be the focus of attention in Saturday's game.
Fans, FVSU alumni, and the entire Middle Georgia community are invited to Saturday's game in the HPE Arena on the FVSU campus. Admission to the game is free of charge.
-Wildcats Athletics-
