FAIRFIELD, Ala. – Senior Shekiya Tarpkins led the Fort Valley State women's basketball team in scoring as they battled the Lady Bears of Miles College; however, their efforts were not enough in the Lady Wildcats' 80-74 overtime loss at the Knox-Windham Gymnasium.
 
Tarpkins scored a team-high 19 points, dished out six assists, five steals, two blocks and had a perfect 4-for-4 night at the charity line. Freshman Alexia Green grabbed nine rebounds and scored 12 points. Daknequa White added 16 points, and Senior Briunca Caldwell connected for another 13 points. Freshman Nola Carter came off the bench to collected eight boards.
 
The Lady Wildcats finished the night shooting 46 percent (29-of-63) from the field, made 2-of-7 (28.6 percent) 3-pointers and had their best shooting night of the season from the free throw line, hitting 87.5 percent (14-of-16).  Miles out rebounded the Lady Wildcats 43-37.   
 
In regulation both teams exchanged scores several times. The Lady Wildcats led by one point at the end of regulation in quarter one, two and three. FVSU led by six points twice in the fourth, but Brown and Scott made two layups with 39.6 seconds on the clock to put the Lady Bears up 68-66.  Sophomore Raynesha Clay drove the length of the court and dished the ball to Trapkins for the layup to tie the game at 68-68 with four seconds on the game clock.
 
Miles won the game at the free throw line in overtime. They hit 9-of-15 shots from the line; the Lady Wildcats managed to shoot just five. Both teams traded several baskets before the Lady Bears made a layup, then got the rebound off a missed free throw and scored to put Miles up 77-71. Tarpkins and freshman Ashley Clemons made three free throws to close out the scoring.  
 
Meanwhile, Javonne Brown led Miles in scoring with a game-high 21 points, 10 rebounds and made 11-of-14 free throws. Morgan Hardy led the team with a game-high 18 boards, while Alexis Jones and Larian Scott added 15 and 14 points.
 
The Lady Wildcats will return home after playing two road games to host Albany State University for homecoming on Saturday, February 4, at the HPE Complex. Game time is scheduled for 6 pm.