ATLANTA, Ga.- Fort Valley State University Men's Basketball took a 90-56 loss at Georgia State University in Thursday exhibition game.
Fort Valley State opened the game trading early misses with Georgia State before the Panthers struck first with a jumper.
Aidan Lambert answered with a score in the paint to even the game at 2–2, but Georgia State responded with a surge from the perimeter, hitting a series of three-pointers to jump ahead 13–4.
DeAndre Newland knocked down a three, and
C.J. Williams added a jumper to keep FVSU within reach at 16–9, but Georgia State's outside shooting remained strong. Three more threes extended the deficit, though
Jaylen Jackson provided energy with a dunk and putback.
The Panthers pushed their advantage to 32–15 midway through the half. Free throws from
Danny Delgardo III, along with baskets from Jackson and
Derek Delgardo Jr., helped FVSU chip away, but another late three-pointer sent the Wildcats into the locker room trailing 50–26.
Fort Valley State opened the second half aggressively, with Williams scoring the first FVSU points to make it 50–28. Moments later,
Meka Nnaji threw down a dunk in transition, but Georgia State continued to convert fastbreak opportunities and perimeter shots to maintain its lead.
FVSU found its best offensive stretch midway through the half. Delgardo Jr. hit free throws and later buried a deep three as part of his team-high 15 points. Delgardo III added two three-pointers and totaled eight points.
Jahlen Jack contributed a mid-range jumper and free throws down the stretch, while Nnaji and Williams each added six points.
Josiah Lawson and
Khirus Doucet led the team with three assists apiece.
Delgardo Jr. finished with 15 points, going 4-for-8 from the floor, 3-for-3 from three-point range, and 4-for-7 from the free-throw line. Delgardo III added eight points, including two three-pointers. Nnaji and Williams each scored six points.
Nnaji led the rebounding effort with seven, including six on the defensive glass. Delgardo III added five rebounds, while four other Wildcats contributed three each. FVSU recorded nine steals, with Nnaji, Lawson, and Lambert accounting for six of them, two each.
The Wildcats open home action on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m., hosting Rollins College.
