JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Wildcats returned to action for the first time after the holiday break and stepped up in competition Thursday night. Jacksonville State held its home court advantage with the game's first 16 points and prevailed over Fort Valley State, 93-57, in a men's basketball exhibition contest.

The Wildcats left all their makes in warm ups to begin the night. FVSU misfired on its first seven attempts from the floor with a pair of turnovers sprinkled in as host Jacksonville State put the first 16 tallies on the scoreboard. The Eskridge brothers, Kenton with a jumper at 15:16 and Kevan with a triple at 14:19, pulled the visitors to within 11 points, 16-5, for the closest the margin would be over the final over 34 minutes of play.

Davorian Rudolph helped FVSU in the second half with a bucket 4:53 into the second stanza, 59-30, and another one at 12:04 to make it a 67-37 score for the closest the Wildcats were able to cut the difference.

Rudolph finished the night 6 of 10 from the field for 13 points to go with six rebounds. Kevan Eskridge added his season-high of 11 points and Myson Lowe netted six points in the first half and five in the second for his 11 points, including a pair of treys.

Jacksonville State dominated on the glass, 45-26. KyKy Tandy paced all players with 20 points.

FVSU returns to action in 2024 when it plays at Miles College on Saturday night, Jan. 6, in a 6 p.m. EST tip-off.

-Wildcats-