FORT VALLEY, GA –The Fort Valley State University Wildcats Basketball Team played hard as James Barnes posted a double-double 13 points and 13 rebounds in the 82-68 win over Gulf South Conference (GSC) foe Valdosta State University Tuesday night at the HPE Complex on Fort Valley State's campus. This marks the second meeting between the two teams this season with Valdosta State winning game one 83-81.
 
With the win, FVSU improved their overall record to 6-4 and remains 3-1 in SIAC action, Valdosta State falls to 7-2 on the season.
 
Tyler Edwards led the team in scoring with 15 points, while making 5-of-7 free throws, five boards, three steals, three assists and two blocks. Walter Foster posted a game-high 15 rebounds and eight points, while blocking three shots. Jamaal Garror added eight points and seven boards, Eric Banks hit nine and Trey Elliott drained six. Glenn Hollaway got on the scoreboard with four points, J. R. Bryant and Chris Smoak added three apiece.  
 
Tyrone Sam led Valdosta State with 15 points and Justin McBride had nine rebounds.
 
FVSU came out of the locker room in the second half on fire, as they increased the lead to 11, 51-40. At the 12:36 mark, the Wildcats pushed the lead to 17, 58-41. The closest Valdosta State would get in the second half was within 8, 72-64, with 3:12 remaining.  
 
The Wildcats out rebounded Valdosta State 61-47, while hitting 38.6 percent of the shots from the field, 32.3 percent from three point land and 57.1 percent at the free throw line. Valdosta State made 32.4 percent of their shots, 14.8 percent in three's and 71.4 percent from the foul line. Turnovers hurt both teams as FVSU had 17 and Valdosta State ended with 16. The Wildcats collected 32 points in the paint to Valdosta State's 26, 12 points off turnovers to Valdosta State's 10, 17 points off second chance shots to 7 and both teams ended with 25 points apiece from the bench.
 
 Jaylan McMillan led the Wildcats at halftime with six points and Foster had seven rebounds as the team went to the locker room up by 2, 36-34.
 
Valdosta State jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first half before Barnes' two points at the 18:51 mark. The Wildcats went ahead on McMillan's jumper and free throw with 12:07 left. FVSU gained their largest lead of 8, (27-19) points at the 8:10 mark in the first half. Valdosta State cut that lead to 1 (32-33) with 3:02 remaining. Glenn Hollaway's dunk with two seconds left until the half gave the Wildcats a two point advantage.
 
FVSU will host Georgia Southwestern University on Thursday, December 14 at 7 p.m. in the HPE Complex.