VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Wildcats made a second-half charge again Saturday. After a tough first 20 minutes, Fort Valley State played back to a two-score game, but West Florida held onto the lead and eventual victory, 72-61, on the second day of the men's basketball SIAC-GSC Challenge.

After a tough start to the day, FVSU started the second half the exact opposite. In the first five minutes, the Wildcats cut the deficit from 15 down to eight on a Davorian Rudolph jump shot. FVSU kept the pressure on West Florida and took the difference to six for the first time at 48-42 on a Khirus Doucet triple and a second time, 55-49, with 8:45 left. The Argonauts put up the next nine points over a two-minute span and held off the Wildcats.

FVSU (0-2) saw Marcus Scott come off the bench for the high scorer at 11 points on 4 of 8 shooting, including a trey. Hassane Diallo was the lone other double figure scorer with 10 points and three rebounds. Doucet added nine points on 4 of 6 shots and had three boards.

Sayerr Senghore came close to his second double-double as he finished with eight points and nine caroms with three blocked shots. All three of Rudolph, Jahlen Jack and Eric Wright chipped in seven points apiece. Rudolph grabbed six rebounds and Jack handed out a pair of assists.

Shay Davis led West Florida with 13 points.

After West Florida put in the first five points, FVSU saw Doucet hit his first shot and a 5-2 game. The Argonauts went on an 11-0 over the ensuing three minutes for a 16-2 lead. FVSU played even the last 14 minutes of the first half, 27-26.

The Wildcats head north next for its first Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game on Thursday night (Nov. 14). FVSU plays at Central State in a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.