FORT VALLEY, Ga. – Fort Valley State University Women's Basketball (0-8, 0-7 SIAC) fell to Lane College (7-1, 6-1 SIAC), 72-49, Wednesday evening.

Lane jumped out to an early 20-15 lead in the opening quarter, highlighted by an 11-point scoring run. Tiana Gongora halted the run with a three-pointer, and the Wildcats trimmed the deficit to five following a Kimora Wade layup to close the first quarter.

The Dragons opened the second frame with a basket, but Marley Bell answered with a layup to make it 22-19. Wade tied the contest at 22 with a pair of layups and a free throw before Lane responded with a seven-point run to regain control. Bell knocked down a jumper late in the quarter to send FVSU into halftime trailing 34-30.

Fort Valley State opened the third quarter strong with another layup from Bell to cut the margin to two. Lane answered with a decisive run, extending its lead to 14 at 51-37. Makayla Arnold closed the quarter with a layup as the Dragons took a 57-43 advantage into the final period.

Arnold opened the fourth quarter with a layup, but Lane continued to attack inside, pushing its lead to as many as 23 en route to the 72-49 final.

Bell led the Wildcats with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, including a three-pointer, while adding three free throws. Aaniyah Allen finished with 10 points, and Wade contributed seven points on 3-of-4 shooting.

Defensively, Bell recorded a team-high five blocks, followed by India McIntosh with four. Reya Johnson led the rebounding effort with seven boards, while McIntosh and Arnold each added six.

The Wildcats return to action Friday, Dec. 19, hosting LeMoyne-Owen College at 5:30 p.m.