SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Wildcats may want the regular season to continue before heading to the post season this weekend. Fort Valley State scored five-straight points in the extra period and prevailed over Savannah State, 72-69, in men's basketball Monday night action.
With four seconds left in the second half, the Tigers' Michael Swift found the bottom of the net to tie the game, 64-64. Swift made the first overtime point at the foul line, before FVSU netted the next five points compliments of two Joe Williams' layups for a 69-65 advantage with 1:58 to go. Following a home free throw, Williams pulled down a rebound and stepped to the line and made the first shot for a two-possession game, 70-66, at 22 seconds. After a Tiger miss, Lowe picked the home team's pocket and earned a trip to the charity stripe where he sealed the victory with two foul shots at four ticks remaining, 72-66.
FVSU (7-20) will now a two-game winning streak into this weekend's Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament right back in Savannah. The Wildcats' First Round foe and game time will be announced on Tuesday.
Lowe finished with top Wildcat honors with 14 points and four assists. Pierre Mitchell chipped in 12 points, nine in the first half, and stole three balls. Kevan Eskridge added 13 points and four assists. Williams made 4 of 7 field goals, with the two big ones and two rebounds in overtime, for nine points and eight caroms. Antonio Pelham pulled down eight rebounds of his own and made one 3-pointer.
Ayjay Plain and Jordan Mikel paced Savannah State's cause with 14 points apiece.
After the home club made the first bucket of the night, FVSU ran off eight-straight points with a Jahlen Jack trey to start and a Mitchell one to end the spurt. The Wildcat lead grew to as many as eight, 26-18, on a Lowe triple with 2:28 left in the first half.
Following a Mitchell 3-pointer only 1:23 into the second half made it 29-22, Savannah State pulled back to within a ponit, 29-28. Tied at 52-52 with 6:17 to go, Eskridge drained a 3-pointer and he then added a pair of free throws for a 57-52 lead. With a 63-61 edge, FVSU made it a 3-point margin when Lowe missed the first and made the second for a 64-61 tally at 17 seconds in regulation leading to the game-tying Tiger trey.
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