ALBANY, Ga. – The Wildcats played tough when crunch time came upon their rival home court. Trailing by four points at half, Fort Valley State netted 11 of the first 13 third-quarter points, refused to give up the advantage and took away the 53-43 women's basketball victory over Albany State.

FVSU started the third 10 minutes with Shekinah Rachel laying in the first bucket and then answering a ASU jumper with nine-straight tallies capped by a Cori Barnes 3-pointer to make it 33-26 at 4:21. Rachel started the final period the same way as the third with a layup after she stole the ball for a 39-33 advantage. FVSU increased the margin to eight, 46-38, two minutes on an Allen-to-Allen (Aaniyah to Amirya) before Rachel pushed it to double digits at 50-40 with 5:59 showing. The two rivals each put three points on the scoreboard in the final minutes to not change the final difference.

With the victory, FVSU recorded its ninth win and surpassed last year's total of eight in 10 fewer games.

Rachel led the Wildcats effort with 11 points and eight rebounds to go with two steals and a block. Aaniyah Allen handed out four assists and scored nine points and three steals. Taylor Addison made 4 of 8 field goals for nine points of her own along with five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Ayana Cockrell led the charge on the glass with 11 boards, eight defensive, and eight points. Both Barnes and Amiya Allen added five points.

Following a tough second quarter where it was outscored, 14-6, FVSU made 12 of 26 shots in the second half.

Elisa Saffold finished with top honors for ASU with 13 points.

Trailing 15-11, Addison helped FVSU edge closer with two jump shots in just over two minutes to make it 21-20 ASU with 1:47 before the half.

FVSU will try to make it five in a row next Wednesday night, Jan. 31, in a 5:30 p.m. tip at Clark Atlanta.

-Wildcats-