JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Wildcats hit a tough shooting quarter coming out of the half Wednesday evening. Edward Waters University went on a 12-2 surge over a five-minute period and went on to prevail over Fort Valley State, 52-39, in the women's basketball regular season finale.
After Cori Barnes hit a shot for a Wildcat two-point lead, the Tigers went on their 12-2 run over the final 1:59 of the first half and opening 2:39 of the third quarter and 30-22 lead. Ja'Nya Ferguson made an inside jumper and Barnes added a pair of free throws from there, but FVSU could get no closer than four points, 30-26, over the final 16 minutes of the game.
FVSU finished the regular season at 10-16 overall and 6-13 in the SIAC East, while Edward Waters went to 16-8 and 12-7 in the SIAC East.
FVSU will be the No. 6 seed of the East Division and will head west to the Lane College, the No. 3 West seed, for a Saturday, March 1, at a time to be determined in Jackson, Tenn.
On Wednesday, the Wildcats fell behind when they made only 1 of 11 shots from the field in the third quarter. The visitors also committed 10 more turnovers than the Tigers.
Leading all scorers, Kimora Wade made 4 of 9 field goals for 13 points, with seven points in the first 4:27 of the game, to go with eight rebounds.
Marley Bell came off the bench for eight points and six boards, while Ferguson chipped in six points, six caroms and two steals. Barnes chipped in four points and two rebounds and Aaniyah Allen had nine rebounds, five points and two assists.
Camryn Oneill and Arieonna Booker rounded out the scoring with a combined three points and five rebounds. Makayla Arnold had four rebounds.
Simona Henshaw led the Edward Waters effort with 10 points.
Wade led FVSU in the game's opening minutes with the first three points and seven in the first four-plus minutes and a 9-2 lead. The Wildcats continued to lead 11-9 after the first ended.
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