FORT VALLEY, GA – The Fort Valley State University Men's Basketball Team put together seven baskets late but they were not enough as the Wildcats were defeated 70-61 in a non-conference matchup with Georgia Southwestern State University Thursday night at the HPE Complex on the campus of Fort valley State.
 
FVSU's overall record falls to 6-5, while Georgia Southwestern's record improved to 4-1.
 
 Tyler Edwards led the Wildcats in scoring with 13-points, while making three baskets from the floor, 7-of-10 at the free throw line, four rebounds, two assists and blocked two shots. James Barnes grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds and added six points. J. R. Bryant hit 11-points, while draining three 3-pointers.
 
GSW was led by R. J. Sessions and Quenten Taylor with 20-points apiece and Andre Statam pulled down seven boards.
 
The Canes went to halftime up by 20-points (43-23). GSW scored five fast points before FVSU's Edwards' layup to make the score 2-5. Jamaal Garror's jumper cut the lead to 1 (4-5).  The Canes' R. J. Sessions jumper increased the lead to 12 (13-25) and then opened the game up by 20-points twice before halftime.   
 
The Wildcats shot just 31 percent from the field in the first half, while GSW hit 51.4 percent of their shots.
 
The second half proved to be all GSW as they jumped out to their largest lead of 24-points (64-40) with 10:05 remaining in the game.
 
The Wildcats out rebounded GSW 52-35, but turned the ball over 15 times to their 12. FVSU managed to only score 14-points in the paint to the Canes 33 and scored 16-points off second chance shots. FVSU outscored GSW with 24-points to 4 from the bench.
 
Next game: FVSU will travel to Daytona Beach, FL to play Embry-Riddle University on Monday, December 18. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.