FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Wildcats gave the Winter Homecoming their fill of excitement and sent the packed HPE Arena crowd home happy. Sayerr Senghore pulled down the defensive rebound with seven seconds left in the third overtime and sank a pair of free throws to help Fort Valley State outlast Albany State, 95-92, in men's basketball action.
FVSU tied each of the first two overtime periods, before it cashed in the third extra five minutes. Tied at 91-91 with 1:28 in the third extra session, Marcus Scott made both free throws with 1:05 for a 93-91 edge. ASU was fouled 27 seconds later where the first foul shot was made, but not the second for a 93-92 score. The Wildcats missed a 3-pointer with 22 seconds, but the Golden Rams misfired with seven ticks showing where Senghore pulled down the rebound. Senghore sank both foul shots and ASU did not get off a final shot ending the marathon back-and-forth contest.
With the victory, FVSU (11-15/10-9 SIAC East) wins its third game in its last four contests and the third win in six games against the top three teams in the East Division. The Wildcats secured its first home win over the Golden Rams (16-10/13-6 SIAC East) since a 66-63 final on Jan. 22 of 2022.
FVSU saw all five starters reach double figures and the lone senior off the bench in a balanced winning effort. Senghore and Hassane Diallo both recorded double-doubles to lead the home charge. Senghore dumped in 8 of 14 field goals for 19 points to go with 15 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Diallo registered 17 points and 15 boards to go with six blocked shots and a pair of assists.
Jaylen Jackson pumped in 15 points, seven caroms and four assists. Khirus Doucet made half his attempts (5 of 10) for 14 points and handed out six assists. Scott dropped a trio of treys for 11 points and had three helpers.
In his final home game, Antonio Pelham netted all 11 of his points in the first half with nine coming from three triples. Mike Robinson chipped in two of his 3-pointers for eight points and had four rebounds.
Leading ASU, Blaise Wallace finished with a game of 25 points and 24 rebounds.
The Golden Rams led by as many as 10 points, 30-20, in the first half. FVSU, though, battled back and outscored the visitors, 15-6, over the final five minutes and pulled to within a point, 36-35, at half.
FVSU kept the momentum and won the opening five minutes of half number two with a 13-2 surge capped by a Senghore dunk and 48-38 advantage. ASU came right back with nine of the ensuing 11 points for a 51-49 score.
After a Doucet foul shot, FVSU held a 63-59 lead with 4:04 in regulation. The Golden Rams cut it to 63-61 before the Wildcats missed their next five shots mixed in with two turnovers. ASU tied the game with 26 seconds on a pair of foul shots before Diallo's trey was off the mark ending the second half, 63-63.
ASU led by five points, 74-69, with 1:03 in the first overtime. Down 75-73, Doucet was fouled on the inside and stepped to the line for the two tying foul shots at seven seconds, 75-75, and forced a second extra period.
The teams deadlocked three times in the second overtime until ASU edged ahead, 86-84, with 23 seconds. Senghore made his first foul shot five seconds later and pulled down his own rebound of the second and passed to Doucet, who was fouled. Doucet made the first and missed the second and the clock ran out at 86-86.
FVSU has Sunday off before it travels across the state for a 7:30 p.m. Monday night, Feb. 24, matchup against Savannah State.
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