ALBANY, Ga. – The Wildcats battled but they couldn't make up enough ground in the second half. Albany State netted the opening nine points of the night in its fast start and bested Fort Valley State, 73-52, in men's basketball Saturday night action.

After trailing by as many as 10 points both seven and 12 minutes into the night, FVSU put in three-straight buckets with one from Sayerr Senghore and back-to-back baskets by Jahlen Jack for a 23-19 margin. ASU answered right back with six points of its own and the visitors could not get as close as the four-point difference again.

With the loss, FVSU (7-12/6-6 SIAC East) fell for the first time in the last four games and two-straight in Albany. ASU (14-7/11-3 SIAC East) stayed atop the East standings.

FVSU had a tough outside shooting night as it was only 3 of 19 from 3-point range.

Senghore made 5 of 7 field goals, including one trey, for 14 points to lead the Wildcat effort. He also had four rebounds and a blocked shot.

Off the bench, Jaylen Jackson chipped in 10 points as the other double-figure player and grabbed four boards and a steal.

Jack chipped in seven total points and clutched four caroms. Hassane Diallo added six points, six rebounds, two assists and a block. Marcus Scott finished with five points and Khirus Doucet had four points and three helpers. Rounding out the contributions, Antonio Pelham and Tyler Pendergrass had two points apiece and six combined rebounds.

G'Shan Aldridge led ASU with 16 points.

FVSU returns to the HPE Arena on Tuesday night, Feb. 4, in a 7:30 p.m. tip time against Tuskegee University.

-Wildcats-