When the Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) started their six-game road swing on Saturday, January 7^th against the Lady Rams of Albany State University, they did so with an undefeated conference record of 6-0 in tact.  After playing the Lady Rams over the weekend and then the Lady Panthers of Claflin University on Monday, January 9^th, the Lady Wildcats are no longer undefeated in conference play.  After back-to-back losses, the Lady Wildcats are now 8-4 overall and 6-2 in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) basketball action.
 
Albany State University 88, Fort Valley State University 83
 
After leading by as many as 22 points in the first half, the Lady Wildcats were not able to fend off the hard charging Lady Rams who rallied to hand the Lady Wildcats their first conference loss of the season.  Although FVSU led 45-34 at halftime, a total of 25 turnovers was a significant part of the reason the Lady Wildcats lost the game.  Another factor was a sluggish second half start in which over five minutes ran off the clock before the Lady Wildcats got their first basket. 
 
For the game, FVSU made 31 baskets on 85 attempts (36.5%).  The Lady Rams made 28 shots on 61 attempts (45.9%).  Jayme Gilbert led the Lady Wildcats in scoring with a game-high 20 points.  Carmenonique Dawson, Key'erra Rozier, and Dominique Collier contributed eight points each.  Five Lady Rams scored in double figures led by Kourney Alexander who finished with 18 points.
 
Claflin University 56, Fort Valley State University 52
 
Perhaps the biggest factor in the Lady Wildcats loss to the Lady Panthers of Claflin University was the unusually high number of turnovers committed by FVSU.  A total of 30 miscues led to the demise of the Lady Wildcats. 
 
In a game that featured 12 lead changes and six ties, FVSU shot 30.9% from the floor by converting 21 of 68 shots.  The Lady Panthers were slightly better from the floor with a 33.9% shooting effort (19 of 56). 
 
Carmenonique Dawson finished with 13 points for the Lady Wildcats.  Key'erra Rozier and Jayme Gilbert contributed 10 points each.  LaQuinta Guinyard had 13 points and Brittani Jones contributed 10 points in the Lady Panther win.
 
Now 8-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play, the Lady Wildcats continue their road trip on Thursday, January 12^th in Augusta, Georgia with a conference game against Paine College (5:30 p.m. tip-off) followed by SIAC action against Benedict College on January 14^th (1 p.m. tip-off).
 
Both games can be heard live on the Wildcats Sports Network by tuning into WFVS LP-104.3 FM in Fort Valley, Georgia or on the worldwide web by visiting www.fvsu.edu and clicking on the radio icon.