FORT VALLEY, GA (January 5, 2017) – Senior forward Shekiya Tarpkins (Social Circle, GA) led Fort Valley State with a game-high 31-points in a 77-60 conference win over Spring Hill College Thursday night at the HPE Complex.
 
Lady Wildcats improved its record to 4-8 and 3-1 in SIAC action, while SHC fall to 5-5 and 1-1 in the conference.
 
Tarpkins had 14-points for the Lady Wildcats at halftime and Elise Reilly scored seven for the Lady Badgers. FVSU shot 31 % from the floor, 37.5 % in three's and 63.6 % at the foul line.
 
Reilly scored SHC's first six points, FVSU's Amber White followed with two free throws for a 6-6 tie. SHC's Lea Washington two free throws made it 14-8 with 2:52 on the clock.  Nola Carter fast break layup ended the first quarter with FVSU trailing 12-15.
 
Second quarter, Alishia Drayton Lewis increased SHC's lead to five (21-16), while Tarpkins 3-pointer and layup tied the game at 21-21. Alicia Franklin's free throws gave FVSU its first lead 23-21. With 3:14 remaining, Tarpkins free throw added a five point advantage for the Lady Wildcats.  
 
Third quarter, FVSU jumped out to an 11-point lead on Tarpkins layup at the 5:45 mark. Green's fast break layup with .37 seconds left, raised the score to 48-32. 
 
Tarpkins scored on 10-of-16 baskets, went 4-for-5 from behind the arc, 7-of-10 free throws, eight rebounds, three assist, four steals and blocked three shots in 33 minutes. Caldwell showed up with a game-high 12 rebounds and seven points, while Carter added 13-points.
 
SHC's Reilly had 17-points and Johnson eight rebounds.
 
The Lady Wildcats will host Lane College on Saturday, January 7 at 1 pm.