COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Wildcats could not overcome a rough Saturday start. Allen University rushed out to a double-digit lead in the first five minutes and took advantage of a tough Fort Valley State shooting night on the way to a 63-49 men's basketball final.

After Khadim Samb sanks a pair of FVSU free throws to start the scoring, Allen put the next seven tallies on the scoreboard and 14 of the next 15 to open a 14-3 lead only 3:52 into the matchup. A Myson Lowe 3-pointer cut the difference down to eight, 26-18, with 5:29 left in the first half, but the Wildcats could get no closer the final 25 minutes.

Pierre Mitchell hit 4 of 7 attempts and 3 of 5 from 3-point range for a season-high 16 points for Wildcat top honors. Antonio Pelham chipped in a trio of 3-pointers for nine points to go with four rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench. Samb had six points and four rebounds.

FVSU's tough shooting day ended as 12 of 45 field goals for only 26.7%. Allen also outrebounded the visitors, 41-26.

Demetri Patterson recorded a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets.

FVSU will have a week off before it heads to the soutwest part of Georgia to face rival Albany State next Saturday night, Jan. 27, starting at 8 p.m.

-Wildcats-