COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Wildcats are coming together as the season progresses. Fort Valley State surged in the first part of the second half and took away the Monday afternoon men's basketball win over Allen University, 72-68.

After leading by as many as seven points, FVSU saw its advantage cut down to a single point, 32-31, by intermission. The Wildcats netted the opening two buckets of the second 20 minutes and pushed it to double figures, 53-42, on a Jaylen Jackson trey with 10:25 left. A Marcus Scott jumper with 5:04 took FVSU to its largest lead, 64-48, before Allen cut the margin down to five with nine seconds and Scott sealed it with a final set of free throws.

With the victory, FVSU improves to 6-11 on the year and an even 5-5 in the SIAC East. The Wildcats have also won three in a row for the first time this season and five of the last six. It was also FVSU's first win at Allen (4-10/1-8 SIAC East) since a 76-69 OT win on Feb. 6 of 2023.

As a team, FVSU made 27 of 56 field goals and won the rebound battle, 37-30, over Allen.

Off the bench, Jackson pumped in 19 points, including 11 of those over a four-minute span in the second half when FVSU built its lead. He also pulled in three rebounds, stole two balls and had an assist.

The Wildcats had three double-digit starters led by Hassane Diallo's 14 tallies on 6 of 8 shooting with seven boards and three steals. Sayerr Senghore made 6 of 12 attempts for 12 points to go with eight rebounds. Scott drained a pair of triples for 10 points and clutched four boards.

Khirus Doucet recorded a solid eight points, nine rebounds and six assists on the day. Jahlen Jack added six points. Antonio Pelham dropped a 3-pointer and had three rebounds.

The Yellow Jackets were paced by Marc Raye's 22 points.

FVSU will next head to Atlanta this Saturday afternoon, Jan. 25, in a 3:30 p.m. contest at Morehouse College.

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