After dropping their last three games in a row, to say that a win for the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) would be nice is an understatement. Although there is still plenty of basketball remaining in the season, a win would do wonders for a young Wildcat team that is trying to find its rhythm. And as the 2-5 Wildcats got set to host the Dragons of Lane College tonight in the HPE Arena, perhaps they had found the perfect partner to help them with their timing.  
 
With a 0-6 record, the Dragons traveled to Fort Valley in search of their first win of the season.  Well aware of the Dragon's plight, the Wildcats were focused on the goal of ensuring that the Dragons leave Middle Georgia the way that they came: winless!
 
As the first 20 minutes of play came to a close, if the Wildcats were going to achieve their goal it would take a second half comeback to pull it off.  Trailing 39-38 at intermission, FVSU converted 13 of 32 shots (40.6%) in the first half.  They made five of 11 three point attempts and hit seven of 13 free throws.  The Dragons were a bit better from the floor hitting 15 of 28 shots (53.6%).  They converted only one three point shot but made eight of 12 free throws.
 
 Just like the first half, there wasn't much scoring separation between the teams in the early second half.  Until FVSU's Brandon Davey hit a lay up inside the paint and followed that with a reverse lay up in transition, neither team had more than a one point lead in the first six minutes of the half.  But Davey's effort near the 13:20 mark gave the Wildcats their largest lead of the game, 56-52.
 
That lead held until the10:37 mark when the Dragons sank two free throws to take a 58-57 lead.  With 8:40 left the teams were tied at 60 points each.  The same was true with 5:57 left (62-62).
 
Near the five minute mark, the Wildcats broke the scoring ice.  Davey got free inside for a lay up was fouled and converted the free throw. That was followed by a Julian McDonald lay up in transition after a solid defensive stand.  His effort was copied by Desmond Lofland who scored on a lay up to give the Wildcats a 69-62 edge. 
 
With a 1:53 left, FVSU led 71-68.  After an offensive charge by the Dragons, the Wildcats got a basket inside from Kyle Cooper after a nice assist from teammate Britain Kelly to extend their lead to 73-68. 
 
As time wound down, and with the Dragons forced to foul, the Wildcats converted free throws when needed to close the game with a 80-73 win.  Goal realized!
 
Brandon Davey led the Wildcats in scoring with a game-high 26 points.  He also collected 10 rebounds.  Desmond Lofland was key down the stretch from the free throw line and finished with 14 points, three assists, and three rebounds.
 
The Wildcats break their three-game skid and are now 3-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play.  They return to action on Saturday, January 7^th at 8 p.m. when they travel to Albany, Georgia to meet the Golden Rams of Albany State University.