COLUMBIA, SC (January 24, 2015) – Senior point guard D'Ambria Thomas (Pelham, GA) led Fort Valley State University (6-14; 4-5) in scoring with a career –high 23 points as the Lady Wildcats drop below 500 in conference play with a 59-69 loss to Benedict College (13-4; 8-1) Saturday afternoon in Columbia.
 
FVSU went to half down 28-34 and the team scoring on 11-of 32 shots from the floor (34.4 percent), made two 3-pointers (16.7 percent) and sank 4-of-5 free throws (80 percent).
 
BC on the other hand hit 32.3 percent of their shots (10-of-31) and 61.1 percent at the foul line (11-of-18).
 
Thomas hit 9-of-15 baskets from the field, making two 3-pointers, hitting 3-of-3 free throws and stealing 4 balls, while senior forward Carmenonique Dawson (Thomasville, GA) added 12 points and went 4-for-4 at the line. Dawson and senior guard Antionna Jefferson (Opelika, AL) tied with 4 rebounds each.
 
Britenique Harrison put up a double-double to lead BC with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Kristine Lesane hit 12 points and KaDeeja Vaughn and Amanda Toliver added 11 points apiece.
 
The Lady Wildcats scored on 23-of-59 shots (39 percent) and made 81.8 percent at the charity line (9-of-11) for the game.
 
BC made 19-of-56 baskets (33.9 percent), while going to the foul line 38 times and making 26 for 68.4 percent.
 
FVSU gained their largest lead of 5 points in the first half with 18:15 remaining, while BC led by 14 in the first with 4:57 left. Both team made 18 points each in the paint, with the Lady Wildcats out scoring BC 19-15 off turnovers. BC outscored FVSU on second chance shots and play off the bench 18-8 each.
 
FVSU return home to play Claflin University on Thursday, January 29 in a 6 p.m. game.