FORT VALLEY, GA (December 3, 2016) – Senior forward Shekiyah Tarpkins (Social Circle, GA) led all scorers with her first double-double and game-highs of 23 points and 12 rebounds in Fort Valley State's first victory of the season 77-54 over LeMoyne-Owen College Saturday afternoon at the HPE Complex.
 
The Lady Wildcats record improves to 1-7 and 1-0 in SIAC play, while LOC fall to 0-10 and 0-2 in conference play.
 
First quarter, LOC led the hold way, then Chantelle Rumph's made layup with :18 second remaining closed the gap 15-16. With 7:07 left, FVSU took a 19-18 lead and never looked back as they went to half up 29-27. In the half, both teams tied one time and lead changed three times.
 
Third quarter, Tarpkins layup at the 9:24 mark gave FVSU a four (31-27) point advantage. Rumph's two pointers set the tone with three seconds left and a 17 point lead. FVSU's largest lead came in the final quarter by 25 points and the win.
 
Tarpkins made 9-of-20 shots from the field, one three pointers, 4-of-4 at the foul line, dished out a game-high seven assist, blocked three shots and five steals. Freshman forward Alexia Green (Fort Valley, GA) had 10 rebounds, eight points and three blocked shots, while senior center Briunca Caldwell (Atlanta, GA) added 11 points.
 
FVSU made 31-of-77 shots from the floor, 4-of-17 threes and 11-of-12 free throws, while scoring 40 points in the paint, 27 off turnovers, nine on second chance shots, 12 fast break points and 20 points from bench players.
 
Corlishia Howard led LOC in scoring with 16 points and Champale Grays with 11 rebounds.
 
LOC hit 19-of-65 baskets, 3-of-13 from behind the arc, 13-of-24 at the foul line. They got 24 points in the paint, 11 off turnovers, 13 on second chance shots, 14 from fast breaks and 17 points from the bench, while out rebounding FVSU 50-to-49.