By:  Delonzo Q Harris
 
FORT VALLEY, GA (January 21, 2017) - The Fort Valley State Lady Wildcats basketball team hosted the Lady Tigers of Benedict College, while looking for their fifth conference win but fell short 74-53 at the HPE complex..
 
The Lady Wildcats are 4-3 in the conference and 5-10 overall. Benedict improves to 7-1 in the SIAC and 11-7 overall.
 
Scoring first on the boards was Benedict forward Dae'Shondra Stephens with a layup after a turnover by FVSU. Lady Wildcats kept the game tied for 2:34 in the first quarter, with four lead changes and Lady Wildcats finished trailing in the quarter.
 
In the second quarter sloppy ball play allowed BC to increase their lead to double digits 43-18.
 
After the half, FVSU field goal percentage was 26.1 percent and Benedict 48.6 percent.
 
At the start of the second half BC didn't let up, they ended the third quarter with a 27 point lead. With 00.08 left in the third quarter Benedict's Raven Baker made a layup giving the Lady Tigers a 64-37 lead.
 
FVSU's leading scorer was senior Shekiya Tarpkins with 11 points, while finishing with three assist, one block and making 4-of-4 shots at the free throw line. Amber White led with eight rebounds and Nola Carter added 10 points.
 
BC's scoring leader Mikeisha Moore played 28 minutes and scored 16 points. Destiny Betts had a game-high 11 rebounds and added 12 points.
 
The Lady Wildcats finished the game shooting 28.8 percent from the field, 3-point field goals 14.3 percent and shots from the free throw line 70 percent. The Lady Tigers finished the game shooting 41.5 percent from the floor for 16.7 percent and 60.0 percent in free throws made.
 
Next Game:  The Lady Wildcats will host Claflin University on Monday, January 23 at 6 pm in the HPE Complex.