FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Wildcats' latter periods Wednesday night in the series could not be duplicated Saturday afternoon. Clark Atlanta had the answers in the final 20 minutes and claimed the road women's basketball win over Fort Valley State, 52-41.

After the Wildcats (10-8/9-5 SIAC East) led by as many as 11 points with under five minutes in the second period, they could not regain their footing in the final 12 minutes of the contest. The Lady Panthers (10-9/7-7 SIAC East) netted the final five tallies of the third stanza for a 38-36 edge and the opening two points of the fourth quarter and never trailed again. Following an Aaniyah Allen 3-point play with 5:37 to cut it to a 45-41 deficit, the bucket turned out to be FVSU's final one as it missed the last eight field goal attempts and committed two turnovers down the stretch.

At halftime of both Wildcat basketball games today, FVSU Director of Athletics Dr. Renae Myles Payne (center) honored former FVSU WBB coach Lonnie Bartley (left) and former FVSU Director of Athletics Gwen Reeves (right).

The loss ended FVSU's five-game win streak and evened the season series for Clark Atlanta after the Wildcats won Wednesday night in Atlanta, 63-56.

Allen led the home team effort with 14 points as she finished with six of the team's 15 field goals made and swiped four passes. Ayani Cockrell chipped in seven points, four rebounds and a block. Taylor Addison also contributed seven points, seven boards and a pair of steals. Camryn Oneill had six points as she made both field goals, including one trey, and her only foul shot. Leading scorer Shekinah Rachel was held scoreless on only four shot attempts and grabbed nine caroms.

Trinity Jones led all scorers for the Lady Panthers with 16 points.

Clark Atlanta went out to a 9-3 advantage in the first 5:54 of the day. FVSU responded with the final eight points of the first frame for an 11-9 edge.

The Wildcats then turned a slim 13-12 lead in the early second quarter into their largest lead with a 12-2 run for a 25-14 lead with 4:49 left in the half. CAU came back with the final three points of the second period for a 30-25 intermission score.

The Lady Panthers continued their play with the third quarter's first eight points to take the lead at 33-30. FVSU answered with the next six points, 36-33, before CAU totaled the final five to retake the advantage, 38-36.

FVSU remains at home where it will take on future SIAC member Talladega College in a 5:30 p.m. Monday night (Feb. 5) contest.

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