FAIRFIELD, Ala. – The Wildcats made the return to the court and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action on Saturday. Fort Valley State started strong and led by as many as 11 points in the first half, but Miles College gained the advantage with a mid-game long 17-3 run and turned the tide for the women's basketball victory, 61-51.

The Wildcats (4-6/4-3 SIAC East) scored the game's opening six points and posted a 19-12 after a period. The visitors continued the first-half surge as a Cori Barnes jumper gave FVSU a 28-17 lead at 5:25 left in the second quarter.

Following a Keianna West Wildcat bucket to make it 30-23, the Lady Bears (8-1/7-0 SIAC West) turned the tables. Miles produced the final four points in the last 2:40 of the first 20 minutes and came out for the opening nine tallies of the third period for a 13-0 run to take the lead, 36-30, only 4:35 into the period. The home run hit 17-3 overall and the momentum never swung back as the margin grew to 15 points, 52-37, in the early final quarter. FVSU was able to get back to within seven, 56-49, but it came with only 1:20 remaining and it could get no closer.

Shekinah Rachel paced the Wildcat offense with 21 points on 7 of 16 from the field to go with 10 rebounds for the double-double, including a pair of assists, a block and a steal. Ayana Cockrell contributed 10 points with the game's opening four points and first bucket of the second frame. Barnes chipped in seven points and West had five. Aaniyah Allen added six assists.

Feliah Greer led Miles with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

FVSU returns to Alabama for a game in Tuscaloosa on Monday evening, Jan. 8, with a 6:30 p.m. EST tip.

-Wildcats-