SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Wildcats deficit wasn't as much as last Saturday, but they rose to the occasion again. Fort Valley State chipped away at its deficit and used a strong fourth quarter to take another late victory this time on the road over Savannah State, 46-42, on the women's hoops court.
Trailing by five points heading to the fourth quarter, FVSU cut it to a single point, 42-41, on a Camryn Oneill trey with 3:49 remaining. The Wildcat defense held the Tigers without a point over the final 4:26 as Marley Bell pushed her team ahead, 43-42, ahead at 1:53. Ja'Nya Ferguson rejected the Savannah State inside drive with 22 seconds and Bell snatched the rebound. Oneill added a free throw with 14.8 seconds on the clock, before the Tigers threw up a wild 3-pointer pulled in by Aaniyah Allen, who sealed the comeback with two free throws with a second left.
With the victory, FVSU (6-12 SIAC East) captured its first win in Savannah State in at least the last six times playing in Savannah. The Wildcat win also gave the team not only its 10th win of the year in 25 games played, but the season split with the Tigers (11-13/7-11 SIAC East).
Allen and Bell split the team-high in points with 11 apiece. Allen added four rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Bell made 5 of 7 field goals with nine rebounds, five offensive, and blocked a pair of shots.
Taylor Addison dropped eight points and stole two passes. Kimora Wade chipped in five points and four rebounds and Oneill totaled four points and four caroms with each having a steal.
Cori Barnes drained a 3-pointer to go with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Ferguson brought down eight offensive rebounds and 13 total boards with the key block and a layup for two points. Jamera Bean accounted for the other two FVSU points with Areionna Booker and Ace Stevenson had three and two rebounds.
Jayden Boykin paced the Tiger effort with 13 points.
Allen started the game's scoring with an opening triple 1:44 into the contest as FVSU went out to an 8-0 lead. Savannah State answered with the ensuing 10 points and enjoyed a 14-12 score after the first 10 minutes.
The Tigers expanded the margin to five points by half, 23-18.
Down by six points midway through the third period, Allen put in two layups around a steal and bucket from Addison for a 29-29 tie at 3:40 on the clock. Savannah State rebounded and led 38-33 going to the final quarter.
FVSU stays on the road for the regular season finale in Jacksonville, Fla., on Wednesday evening (Feb. 26) in a 5:30 tip-off at Edward Waters.
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