WILBERFORCE, Ohio – Fort Valley State University Women's Basketball (0-7, 0-6 SIAC) fell on the road at Central State University (2-8, 1-7 SIAC), 66-63, Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcats outpaced the Marauders in the opening frame, 18-11.
Makayla Arnold put FVSU on the board first with back-to-back field goals for an early 4-0 advantage. Central State attempted to rally, but the Wildcats never surrendered the lead, as
Aaniyah Allen drained a three-pointer to send FVSU into the second quarter with a seven-point cushion.
Madisyn Ogburn opened the second quarter with a jumper to extend the lead to 20-11. Central State continued to chip away and eventually tied the contest at 25-all on a layup. The Wildcats briefly regained the lead at 27-25 before the Marauders answered to knot the score again.
Kimora Wade reclaimed the advantage for FVSU with back-to-back field goals, giving the Wildcats a 31-27 edge. CSU closed the half at the free-throw line, trimming the deficit to 31-29 at the break.
Central State opened the third quarter with a layup to even the score at 31. Allen responded with another three-pointer to put FVSU back in front, 34-31. The Wildcats built the lead to as many as six, but the Marauders fought back to tie the game at 41 before taking their first lead of the afternoon, 43-41. Central State closed the quarter ahead 46-43.
The Marauders came out strong in the fourth quarter, pushing their lead to eight, 51-43, before
India McIntosh halted the run with a pair of free throws. Central State maintained control down the stretch, though the Wildcats battled back to within one. CSU extended the margin to five with 10 seconds remaining. Allen connected on a jumper with three seconds left to make it a three-point game, but Central State held on for the 66-63 victory.
Allen led the Wildcats with 26 points, shooting 9-for-16 from the field and 6-for-8 from three-point range. Arnold followed with 11 points on 62.5 percent shooting.
Reya Johnson paced FVSU with five assists, while Allen added four.
McIntosh led the rebounding effort with eight boards, evenly split on both ends of the floor.
Marley Bell added six rebounds, while Arnold chipped in five and recorded all three of FVSU's blocked shots.
The Wildcats return to HPE on Wednesday, Dec. 17, to host Lane College at 5:30 p.m.
