FORT VALLEY, GA (January 2, 2016) – Dareial Franklin and Ralph Wilson scored 20-points apiece to lead the Wildcats of Fort Valley State in a 86-83 loss Saturday afternoon to Kentucky State University at the HPE Complex.
 
The Wildcats shot 48 percent from the field in the second half to wipe out a thirteen-point halftime deficit and pull to within three-points.
 
"You have to give it to Kentucky State, they came in here and played very good basketball, we started out slow," Head Coach Sammie Jackson said. "They had more energy than us and shot the ball extremely well, while taking advantage of our lack of defense."
 
The Wildcats (2-11; 0-3) scored four-points through the first fourteen minutes and seven seconds of the game, as the Thorobreds got hot and took a 21-4 lead on a Quentin Henderson basket. From there the visitors out-scored FVSU 45-32 to take the halftime lead.
 
FVSU came out in the second half on fire and cut the lead to nine-points with 18:04 left in the game on Ralph Wilson layup basket and free throw to make it 37-46. Wilson's 3-pointer drew the Wildcats to within three-points with 16:07 to go, making the score 45-48. With thirteen second remaining, Jamaal Garror layup closed the gap to 83-86 and the final score.
 
Maritea Duke had 14-points and J.R. Bryant added 10-points and a game-high five assist. Franklin also led the Wildcats in rebounding with nine, while making six of thirteen baskets from the field and eight of eleven free throws. Wilson grabbed six rebounds and hit eight of fifteen shots from the floor, made one 3-pointer and went three for three at the foul line. Eugene Thomas made four of four free throws while adding eight-points.
 
The Wildcats finished the game shooting 42 percent from the field, 29 percent from behind the arc and 65 percent at the free throw line where they hit 28-of-43.
 
Malcolm Smith led KSU (4-4; 3-1) with a game-high 24-points. Tryston Ford scored 19-points and Julius Barton added 14. William Bryant led the team with 9 rebounds.
 
KSU outscored the Wildcats in the paint 42-34, 19-12 off turnovers and 18-12 points on second chance shots. FVSU scored 10 points to 8 off fast breaks.
 
Next Game: The Wildcats will play Central State University at home on Monday, January 4. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m.