FVSU Set for Next Test, Battle Bears in SIAC Quarterfinals

3/1/2022 5:48:00 PM

By: Chris Myers

ROCK HILL, SC – The Wildcats are on their best run of the season, but it is nothing compared to their Wednesday afternoon foe. Winners of three of its last four games, Fort Valley State is set for its next test in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals against the 17-game win streak and SIAC East champion Miles College.

The Wildcats and Bears will tip off as the second contest of the third day in the SIAC Tournament in the Rock Sports & Event Center on Wednesday. The game time is set for 2:15 p.m. and can been seen on ESPN+.

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After a rocky start in the opening minutes Monday against Kentucky State, FVSU kept steady, gained its composure tied the contest at 33 with a K.J. Doucet 3-pointer. The Wildcats continued the momentum to begin the second half with the first four points and nine of the first 12 tallies for a six-point lead, 42-36. FVSU did not let up and increased the margin to double figures, 51-40, at 12:56 and doubled that difference in the following nine minutes until taking Kentucky State (73-53).

Doucet showed why he was voted the SIAC Freshman of the Year with his first double-double of the year with 23 points and 13 rebounds, including two assists and a steal. The backcourt duo of Kenton Eskridge and Pierre Mitchell combined for 27 points and upcoming center Quincy Young added 11 points and seven boards on the inside.

FVSU, though, has a monumental Wednesday afternoon task in regionally-ranked Miles. In the lone meeting between the teams, the home Bears had their way with the Wildcats. Miles netted the opening eight points, went out to a 35-17 halftime margin and finished with a decisive win, 73-43, in Fairfield, Ala., on Jan. 12.

With its Monday afternoon win, the Wildcats did record their first SIAC Tournament victory since they defeated the Bears of Miles College on Feb. 26 of 2018 by an 88-82 final in the First Round of the 2017-18 Tournament. FVSU fell in the Quarterfinals that season to Morehouse College, 82-75.

FVSU has not moved past the SIAC Quarterfinals since the previous year, 2016-17 Tournament. In that February and March run, FVSU won three-straight, before it fell in the SIAC Championship game to Clark Atlanta, 64-62.

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