FORT VALLEY, Ga. – Fort Valley State University Women's Basketball (0-1) dropped its Monday evening season opener to Talladega College (1-2), 71–65.

The Wildcats struck first with a jumper from Reya Johnson, but the Tornadoes quickly answered. With just under six and a half minutes remaining in the first quarter, Aaniyah Allen drilled a three-pointer to reclaim an 8–7 lead, and a Julia Baker layup pushed the margin to 10–7. Talladega responded and closed the quarter with a 20–15 advantage.

Johnson opened the second quarter by knocking down a three to cut the deficit to two, then followed with a jumper to tie the game at 20. The Wildcats surged ahead by as many as five before both teams traded leads down the stretch. Talladega held a narrow 29–28 edge at halftime.

To start the third, Johnson grabbed a steal and fed Allen for a layup to give FVSU a 31–30 lead. Talladega answered with a run to build a 45–33 advantage—their largest lead of the quarter. Allen trimmed the margin to nine with a late jumper, sending the game into the fourth at 50–41.

Talladega maintained momentum in the final frame, extending its lead to 60–43. The Wildcats mounted a late push with three three-pointers in the final two minutes, but the comeback fell short as Talladega secured the 71–65 win.

Allen led all Wildcats with an outstanding shooting performance, going 12-for-19 from the field and 4-for-8 from beyond the arc for a 30-point night. Johnson followed with 10-for-14 shooting and a 4-for-6 mark from long range. Both players also paced the team on the glass with four rebounds apiece. Allen, Johnson, and Baker each recorded three steals.

The Wildcats return to action on Thursday, Nov. 20, hitting the road for a 5:30 p.m. CT conference opener at Tuskegee University.