FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Wildcats returned after finals week and saw the final moments slip past them. Leading by as many as 11 points late in the third quarter, Fort Valley State saw visiting Kentucky State race past it in the final five minutes on the way to a 68-61 women's basketball final score.

With a 43-40 advantage midway through the third frame, the Wildcats (3-4) put up the eight tallies for its largest lead of 11 points, 51-40, with 3:11 showing. FVSU continued to hold the lead in the opening two minutes of the final quarter when Jalexicia Hargrove banked home a bucket, 55-48, at 8:07. The Lady Thorobreds started it rush to the front from there and went on a 10-2 burst to gain a one-point lead, 58-57, at 3:16. FVSU did edge ahead one last time, 59-58, on a pair of Keianna West free throws, but Kentucky State rattled off another run, this time of 10-2, over the final 2:53 to complete the comeback victory.

Aaniyah Allen led the home team with 12 points on 4 of 7 shooting including seven assists and a pair of steals. Ayana Cockrell contributed 11 points, while Shekinah Rachel added eight points, nine carroms, two assists and two steals. Caly Cage had a big first half of eight points with a pair of 3-pointers, while Taylor Addison chipped in seven points.

FVSU did make 24 of 46 field goal attempts in the contest (52.2%), but committed 25 turnovers.

Gracen Kerr led all scorers with 19 points for KSU. The Lady Thorobreds won the battle on the glass, 36-24.

FVSU will have Sunday off before its final December game on Monday evening, Dec. 18, when it hosts Central State starting at 5:30 p.m.

-Wildcats-