SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Wildcats were headed for their first league title tilt for the first 25 minutes on Saturday before the plans were sidetracked. After Fort Valley State finished the second quarter with the last nine points, Kentucky State equalled the run and then some in the third period and rode it for the 63-52 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Tournament Semifinal win.
Following a first frame deadlock, FVSU saw a five-point deficit of 26-21 at 4:14 left in first half. The Wildcats recorded the final nine points behind Shekinah Rachel and Ayani Cockrell for a 30-26 intermission edge. After Cockrell tied the contest at 38-38 with 4:38 to go in the third, the Thorobreds put together the next seven points and a 10-2 margin overall for a 48-40 advantage after 30 minutes. Kentucky State scored the first bucket of the final period for the game's first double-digit lead, 50-40, before Cockrell put it back to a seven-point difference, 50-43. KSU answered the FVSU basket with seven-consecutive tallies and rode it the final six minutes of play.
Despite the loss, FVSU and head coach Doug Robertson can hold their heads high for the 2023-24 season. The final 15-11 record was the best of the program in 11 years and the first SIAC Tournament Semifinal appearance in 12 seasons (2011-12). It was also the first winning record for a year since going 15-13 during the 2012-13 year and the third year in a row the Wildcats have won at least one game of the SIAC Tournament.
Leading the effort, seniors Rachel and Cockrell both connected for 16 points apiece. Rachel recorded her 12th double-double of 10 rebounds, eight defensive, to go with the 16 points on 7 of 11 shooting and 2 of 2 free throws. The SIAC Defensive Player of the Year also had five blocked shots and two steals. Cockrell made 6 of 9 attempts and all four of her foul shots for her 16 tallies and grabbed four boards.
Aaniyah Allen added seven points, two rebounds and an assist, while Taylor Addison downed a pair of 3-pointers for six points. Caly Cage and Cori Barnes rounded out the scoring with four and three points. Seniors Amiya Allen and Jameisha Williams also completed their 4-year FVSU careers in the game.
Taleah Dilworth paced Kentucky State with 18 points.
FVSU started the day out of the gates running. The Blue and Gold squad put the first six points on the scoreboard behind a bucket from each of Allen, Rachel and Cockrell and 6-0 lead. A second Rachel jumper made it 10-3 Wildcats early on before the Thorobreds cut the margin back to 10-8 right away. Cockrell helped FVSU go back to a 5-point lead, 15-10, before KSU again rebounded to tie the contest at 18-18 by the end of the first quarter.
FVSU had its best run in the final 30 minutes with the Rachel and Cockrell nine-point run when the team was behind 26-21 for a 30-26 advantage.
Barnes' lone trey gave the Wildcats what would be their final lead, 35-34, at 6:29 left in the third quarter. The game would be tied two more times at 36-36 and 38-38, before KSU's 7-straight points gave it the lead for good.
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