By: FVSU Office of Sports Information

In their return to basketball action after a nearly three week lay-off for the Winter Break, the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) played host to the 1-3 Dragons of Lane College tonight (Jan. 3^rd) in the HPE Arena.  The Wildcats entered play with a 3-5 overall record.  Tonight's match-up was the first Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) game for the Wildcats this season.
 
After falling behind early in the contest, the Wildcats rallied in the first 20 minutes of play to take a 31-28 lead at the intermission.  FVSU shot 29.7% from the floor in the first half while the Dragons shot just 27%.
 
The Wildcats managed to get some separation from the Dragons in the second half.  With 10:41 remaining, the FVSU halftime lead of three had grown to nine, 50-41.  However, with 1:08 left in the game, the teams battled to a 68-68 tie. Two critical free throws by FVSU's Kyle Cooper and Brandon Anderson down the stretch sealed the 70-68 win for the Wildcats.
 
Forward Brandon Davey led the Wildcats in scoring with 14 points.  Jeremy Sledge added 12 and Desmond Lofland and Joshuah Davey contributed 10 points each.
 
The win gives the Wildcats a 4-5 overall record and their first conference win. They are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 5^th at 4 p.m. in the HPE Arena when they host the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University.