VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Wildcats took a bit to get going Friday night, but they pushed the home team. After a tough first half, Fort Valley State made a run and won the second half, but it fell to host Valdosta State, 106-88, in the SIAC-GSC Men's Basketball Challenge season opener.

Trailing by 24 points at half, FVSU made its first push with nine points in a row and were within 16 points, 60-44. The host Blazers put the next five tallies on the board, before the Wildcats produced its biggest surge of the night with a 13-0 run and made it a game at 65-57 with 14:29 remaining. FVSU would get no closer and did cut it back to a dozen, 73-61, less than two minutes later, but Valdosta State went on for the season opening win.

Newcomer Sayerr Senghore came off the FVSU bench for a double-double in his first time in the Blue & Gold. The forward produced 18 points on 8 of 11 shooting, including one 3-pointer, to go with 13 rebounds, four blocked shots and a steal. Mike Robinson also reached double figures in his first collegiate contest with 10 points, two treys, and an assist.

Leading the Wildcat starters, Jahlen Jack had a solid start to the year with 17 points along with six rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals. Khirus Doucet added 11 points and three boards. Micah Glover chipped in eight points and an assist and Tyler Pendergrass finished with nine points and three rebounds. Jaylen Jackson rounded out the cause with six points and three rebounds.

Carlos Hart converted 16 of 20 free throws as part of his 26 points for top honors leading the Blazers.

VSU recorded the first 15 points of the game before Senghore dunked a ball home at 16:08 in the first half. FVSU played much more evenly the rest of the first stanza and trailed 59-35 at half.

FVSU did outscore VSU by a 53-47 difference in the second 20 minutes.

FVSU returns to the Valdosta State court on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 9, for a 3 p.m. tip-off against the University of West Florida.

-Wildcats-