By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
When the basketball teams of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) played at Tuskegee University (TU) tonight (Feb. 3rd) at Tuskegee's James Center Arena, the Lady Wildcats were trying to maintain a share of the lead in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) while the men's team looked to change directions and break a losing streak that now extended to six games. The Lady Wildcats entered the game tied with Albany State University for first place in the conference, while the men's game took on the added feature of “brother against brother.” FVSU Head Coach John Douglas is younger brother to TU Head Coach Leon Douglas.
The Lady Wildcats entered the game with a 14-6 overall record and 12-2 conference mark. The Wildcats began play with a 5-14 record and they were 5-10 in SIAC play.
Lady Wildcats Basketball (TU 76, FVSU 72)
In women's play, the first few minutes of the game provided evidence that the Lady Wildcats would easily maintain their conference lead. With 16:33 left in the half, the Lady Wildcats had already built a 10 point lead. However, as the first half pressed on, that evidence started to prove a bit shaky. In fact, with 7:28 left in the half, the Tigerettes had completely erased the Lady Wildcat lead and taken their own 10 point edge.
In a first half that had the teams tied three times and two score changes, the Tigerettes did a better job of rebounding (43 for TU and 36 for FVSU). TU also got more first half points in the paint (18); more points off turnovers (16); more second chance points (12); more fast break points (10); and more points from bench players (23). While the Lady Wildcats had a better shooting percentage (14 of 32 for 44%) in the game's first 20 minutes, the Tigerette's dominance in the other categories enabled them to take a 43-36 lead into the intermission.
In the second half, the Tigerettes maintained their lead over FVSU. With eight minutes left, the TU lead was 62-55. That's when the Lady Wildcats started to step up the defensive intensity. With 5:03 remaining, the Tigerettes lead had been cut to two points, 64-62 after a lay up by Jasmine Birdsong.
With 3:43 left and trailing 66-64, the Lady Wildcats created a TU turnover and had a chance to tie the game. A missed scoring opportunity inside the paint gave the ball back to the Tigerettes. At the 3:18 mark, the TU lead was up to five points, 69-64.
After a Kendra Evans penetration and lay up with 2:20 left and a subsequent turnover by TU due to Lady Wildcat full court pressure, FVSU had cut the lead to three points (69-66). Again, a missed scoring opportunity in a half court set saw the ball go back over to the Tigerettes.
Trailing 74-69 with 46 seconds left, Jasmine Birdsong hit a three point basket to draw the Lady Wildcats to within three points, 74-71. After a time out, the Tigerettes faced full court pressure by FVSU which they easily broke with a Tequila Martin lay up to extend the TU lead to 76-71. On the other end, a Brandi Haynes free throw cut the deficit to 76-72. However, that would be as close as the Lady Wildcats would get. As time expired, TU claimed the 76-72 victory.
The loss drops the Lady Wildcats to 14-7 overall and now to 12-3 in conference action. Depending on the outcome of the Lady Rams of Albany State verses the Lady Tigers of Stillman who also played tonight, FVSU could relinquish first place if Albany State wins.
Yasheeka Jones led the Lady Wildcats in scoring with 19 points.
The Lady Wildcats return to basketball action on Thursday, Feb. 10th at 6 p.m. in the HPE Arena when they host the Pantherettes of Claflin University as part of a doubleheader.
Wildcats Basketball (FVSU 80, TU 70)
As coaches John and Leon Douglas used tonight's game for a brief family reunion, that level of cordially would likely not extend to the players on the floor. After all, with only a month of basketball left before the SIAC Tournament and Tuskegee among the conference leaders and FVSU eager for a win, all niceties were sure to stop with the Douglas brothers.
In their first meeting of the year, the Wildcats and Tigers wasted little time getting after each other. FVSU's Jeremy Sledge started things with a three point basket. That was answered by an Andrae Nelson lay up for TU. At the 15:36 mark, Sledge rang up another three point basket, was fouled and converted on the rare four point opportunity to give FVSU a 9-6 lead. Moments later TU tied the game at 11 points each.
With 13:08 remaining, FVSU had built a five point margin (18-13) after Desmond Lofland connected on a jump shot followed by another three point basket by Sledge. At the 11:25 mark, FVSU led 23-17 after two more Sledge field goals (one two-point basket and one three pointer).
After a time out, Nigel Domineck converted a lay up to give FVSU a 25-17 lead. At 10:58 left, Tommy Williams rattled and made a three point basket as the Wildcats extended their lead to 28-17. With six minutes left, as the Wildcats continued to shoot well from the floor, FVSU grew its lead to 12 points, 36-24.
That lead expanded to 15 points after Sledge hit another three point basket with 4:21 left. Moments later, Sledge drained another three point basket for his 21st point of the half and gave FVSU a 42-27 lead.
With less than three minutes remaining, the Tigers tried to re-take the momentum. A three point basket by Calvin Thomas and a steal on the inbound play followed by a Thomas lay up cut the FVSU lead to single digits, 42-33. However, the Wildcats would withstand the run by TU and carry a 44-37 lead into halftime.
Sledge finished the first half with 23 points. His six three point baskets in a half was a career best. The Wildcats shot 52% (15 of 29) from the floor in the first 20 minutes while Tuskegee shot 63% (13 of 21).
The start of the second half presented more of the “Jeremy Sledge Show.” He nailed two three point baskets to take his total to eight for the game and give FVSU a 54-42 with 15 minutes left. A steal by Martavius Orr and a converted lay up pushed the FVSU lead to 56-44 at the 13:42 mark. Moments later, a reverse lay up by Brandon Davey increased the Wildcats lead to 58-44.
At the 11:33 mark, Orr inflicted more damage. After an FVSU steal by Sledge, Orr finished the play with a reverse lay up as the Wildcats went up 60-45. A time out with 10:31 left found FVSU leading by 19 points, 64-45. After an Orr three pointer with 8:33 remaining, FVSU enjoyed a 21 point lead, 67-46.
However, things would get closer. With three minutes left, the Tigers had cut the FVSU lead to 11 points, 75-64. With 2:05 left, FVSU saw its lead cut to eight, 76-68.
After re-grouping, the Wildcats regained control of the game and came away with a 80-70 win. The victory for the Wildcats breaks their six game skid and takes them to 6-14 overall and 6-10 in conference play.
Jeremy Sledge had a career-high 33 points and a career-high eight three point baskets. Martavius Orr finished with 16 points and Brandon Davey had 12 points.
The Wildcats are back in action on Tuesday night in the HPE Arena on the FVSU campus. They will host the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.
-Wildcats Athletics-
