MORROW, Ga. – The Wildcats changed an early trend Wednesday night. Fort Valley State started fast for the first time of the season, but Clayton State rebounded and took the men's basketball contest, 73-63.
FVSU (1-8) saw Hassane Diallo and Jahlen Jack lay in the opening two buckets of the night and it extended the lead to seven, 12-5, on Jack's third field goal at 16:20. Sayerr Senghore's 3-pointer capped the opening eight-minute run to 21-9 over the Lakers and Mike Robinson made two free throws for a 23-14 visitor advantage. Clayton State (5-4) rebounded with the contest's next 12 points and finished the half on an 18-3 run. The Lakers continued adding to the margin to 10 points in the first three second-half minutes and maintained it to the end.
The Wildcats received double figures in points from both Jack and Senghore. Jack connected on 7 of 11 field goals for 14 points to go with seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Senghore added 10 points, six rebounds, three blocks and an assist. Diallo made 4 of 8 shots for nine points, while he pulled down six boards, blocked two shots and stole a pass.
Robinson chipped in eight points off the bench and handed out an assist. Jaylen Jackson contributed seven tallies, five caroms and two assists. Khirus Doucet finished with five points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Davorian Rudolph and AJ Horton hit for four points and three rebounds, while both AJ Horton and Adonai Mussie had three points.
DJ Wright paced the Lakers with 16 points.
Leading 32-26 at half, Clayton State made the opening second-half bucket, before Diallo answered with one for FVSU and a 34-28 score. The home team extended the difference to 10 points for the first time with the ensuing two layups, 38-28. FVSU cut it under 10 points four times over a two-minute period with a Jack jumper the last, 46-37, at 13:58.
Clayton State made the next bucket and held a lead of at least 10 points over the final 12-plus minutes.
FVSU returns home for only the second time on Friday night, Dec. 13, in a 7 p.m. contest against Paine College.
-Wildcats-
