FORT VALLEY, Ga.- Fort Valley State University Men's Basketball (9-8, 8-8 SIAC) took down Albany State University (7-12, 6-9 SIAC), 77-73 in second half surge for Winter Homecoming.

The Wildcats trailed for much of the first half as Albany State jumped out to an early lead. FVSU got on the board with a three-pointer from C.J. Williams, making it 4-3, followed by a three from Danny Delgardo III to tie the game at 6-6. Meka Nnaji added a jumper to give FVSU its first lead of the half at 8-8, and Joseph Frazier converted a layup to put the Wildcats ahead 10-8, though Albany State reclaimed the lead later in the half. Delgardo III hit another jumper to cut the deficit, leaving FVSU trailing 39-31 at halftime.

The second half opened with FVSU attacking the basket, as Lambert scored a dunk on a fastbreak, narrowing the gap to 39-35. He followed with a tip-in to make it 39-38, and Delgado III hit a three-pointer to put FVSU ahead 42-38. Albany State responded, but Derek Delgardo Jr. converted a fastbreak dunk and a free throw to make it 54-49, while Evans Cameron added a layup to extend the lead to 54-50. Delgardo III knocked down another three, making it 56-52, and Hopkinson Khimani converted a layup to push the Wildcats' advantage to 58-52.

As the game tightened in the final minutes, Delgardo III hit a three to make it 62-58, followed by a three from Kendale Johnson for 65-60. CJ Williams sank a three-pointer to bring the Wildcats within 67-63, and Nnaji finished in the paint to make it 67-65. With the game tied at 67-67, Nnaji hit a jumper to go ahead 69-67, followed by Derek Delgardo Jr. with a layup to tie it at 69-69. Shakur Poteat converted a layup and free throw to go up 70-69, and Lambert scored a layup to push it to 71-70.

In the final 30 seconds, Delgardo III and Derek Delgardo Jr. combined for key free throws, while Williams added clutch attempts to secure the 77-73 win.

Danny Delgardo III led all scorers with 25 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and from beyond the arc. Meka Nnaji had 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting, Aidan Lambert added 12 points, and C.J. Williams finished with 11 points, including a 5-for-6 performance at the free throw line. On the glass, Sincere Whitehead led with 12 rebounds, and Williams added eight boards.

The Wildcats return to action Thursday, January 29, hosting Spring Hill College at 7:30 p.m. inside the Health and Physical Education Comple