FORT VALLEY, Ga. -- The Wildcats can head to the holiday break on a high note. After falling behind in the opening quarter, Fort Valley State rebounded by overtaking Central State in each of the final frames for a 59-50 women's basketball victory.

The Wildcats turned a four-point lead, 47-43, heading to the final período and doubled It in the first 5:20 to 53-44 on an Ayana Cockrell layup. The home team did not let Central State any closer in the final momentos.

Forward Shekinah Rachel paced the Wildcat charge with a double-double of 15 points on 5 of 11 shooting and 12 rebounded to go with four steals and two assists. Aaniyah Allen added 14 tallies on 5 of 10 from the floor with five boards, three assists and three steals. Taylor Addison chipped in seven points and handed out six helpers. Cockrell and Cori Barnes had five points apiece.

Dashanti Miller led the Marauders with 11 points and nine rebounds. 

Central State recorded two early runs for a 20-9 lead after 10 minutes. FVSU doubled up the visitors, 24-11, in the second quarter, and took a 33-31 halftime lead following a Barnes trey with four seconds left.

After a paid of buckets from Rachel and one from Camryn Oneill, FVSU held an early 39-31 second-half lead. Central State battled back to a slim 42-41 margin at 3:13, before regained the advantage, 47-43, at the end of the third.

FVSU will now be off for the Christmas break until it plays at Young Harris College in a 2 p.m. New Years Day, Jan.1, contest.