By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
On the final day of the Ames Classic, the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) faced the host of the Classic, the Lions of Saint Leo University (SLU) on Saturday (Dec. 1st). The teams entered the game with identical 3-2 records as each suffered losses on the first day of the Classic. The Wildcats fell to the Spartans of the University of Tampa while the 20th ranked Lions fell to the Pirates of Armstrong Atlantic University.
For the Wildcats, one of the biggest challenges entering the game was to contain Lion point guard Marcus Ruh who entered the SLU Career 1,000 Point Scoring Club with his 13 point performance yesterday against Armstrong Atlantic. In the first 20 minutes of play, containing the senior Ruh proved difficult. He finished the half with 15 points after converting five of his first seven shots. Although the Wildcats made 14 of their 27 shots (51.9%) in the first half, they trailed the Lions at the intermission, 44-38.
In the second half, the Wildcats made several runs at the Lion lead but were rebuffed each time. With 6:04 left, the six point halftime lead for SLU had grown to a 17 point advantage while Ruh pushed his game-high point total to an even 20 points.
In a game in which the Wildcats never enjoyed a lead, FVSU lost to the Lions, 83-65. Brandon Davey led the Wildcats in scoring with 18 points and four rebounds. Jeremy Sledge chipped in 13 points. Ruh was one of four Lions to finish in double figure scoring. He closed with 23 points while Thomas Trent had 18. Chim Kadima added 11 and Tom Neary finished with 10.
The loss drops the Wildcats to 3-3 on the season while the Lions raise their season mark to 4-2. FVSU is back in action on December 4th when they travel to Valdosta, GA for another inter-regional matchup; this time against the Blazers of Valdosta State University. Tip-off for the men's game is 5 p.m. with the women's contest to follow.
