FORT VALLEY, Ga. – Fort Valley State University Women's Basketball (2–13, 2–11 SIAC) put together a competitive performance but fell 68–53 to Clark Atlanta University (9–8, 9–4 SIAC) on Monday evening.

Fort Valley State built early momentum and controlled the opening quarter, taking a 13–11 lead after ten minutes of play. India McIntosh opened the scoring for the Wildcats with a putback, and Reya Johnson followed with a layup and free throw to tie the game at 5–5. Julia Baker sparked a 5–0 run with back-to-back layups to give Fort Valley State a 9–7 edge. Aaniyah Allen closed the quarter with four straight points in the paint as the Wildcats carried a two-point advantage into the second period.

Clark Atlanta responded in the second quarter with a run to take the lead, pushing ahead 16–13 early in the frame. Fort Valley State answered to keep the game tight, as Reya Johnson knocked down a three-pointer and Grace East connected from beyond the arc to even the score at 19–19. East later drilled another triple to cut the deficit to 26–23, but Clark Atlanta closed the half on a late surge and entered the locker room leading 32–25.

The Wildcats opened the third quarter with a 6–2 run to cut the margin to 32–29 behind baskets from India McIntosh and Reya Johnson. McIntosh added another layup to make it 35–31 before Aaniyah Allen hit a three-pointer midway through the quarter to pull Fort Valley State within 38–34. Marley Bell later finished a fastbreak layup, and McIntosh added a late basket in the paint as Fort Valley State trailed 48–40 heading into the final quarter.

Fort Valley State continued to chip away in the fourth period, opening the quarter with free throws to make it 50–41. Marley Bell knocked down a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 61–47, and McIntosh followed with a layup to make it 63–49 with just over two minutes remaining. Aaniyah Allen added a fastbreak jumper to pull the Wildcats within 12, but Clark Atlanta sealed the game at the free-throw line to secure the 68–53 victory.

Three Wildcats scored in double figures, led by Aaniyah Allen with 12 points on five field goals, including a three-pointer. Allen also led Fort Valley State with seven rebounds, six steals, and two blocked shots. Reya Johnson and India McIntosh each finished with 10 points. Johnson added six rebounds and connected on a three-pointer, while McIntosh scored on five field goals. Madisyn Ogburn also pulled down six rebounds, and Marley Bell paced the Wildcats with five assists while adding five points and five rebounds.

Fort Valley State returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 22, hosting Tuskegee University at 5:30 p.m.