VALDOSTA, GA – Alicia Franklin opened the season with a team-high 21-points as the Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State (0-1) fell to Valdosta State (1-0) 87-53 in the Gulf South/SIAC Challenge Friday night at The Complex on Valdosta State's campus.
 
The Lady Wildcats first outing under Head Coach Le'Coe Willingham was not what she hoped for, but the team played hard from start to finish.
 
Franklin made 6-of-8 free throws, four rebounds and four steals, Nola Carter had 17-points, and a team-high nine rebounds, three assists and went 4-for-4 at the foul line. Antona Jones scored seven points, Amiah Height added five points and hit 2-of-2 at the line, while Chantelle Rumph scored three points.
 
FVSU made 15-of 54 field goals, hit eight three's, grabbed 30 rebounds and scored on 13-of-26 free throws.
 
Aaliyah Cheatham led the Lady Blazers with 21-points and Kenya Samone' Dixon had a double-double 12 rebounds and 16-points.
 
FVSU will play again Saturday, November 11 against West Florida University at 4 pm at The Complex on Valdosta State's campus.