TUSKEGEE, Al- The Fort Valley State Wildcats battled until the final moments but came up just short in a hard-fought 57–52 road contest against the Tuskegee Golden Tigers on Saturday afternoon at the Daniel "Chappie" James Center Arena.

Fort Valley State (6–21, 6–18 SIAC) showed resilience throughout the match up, keeping the game within reach from start to finish. The Wildcats opened strong, edging Tuskegee 16–15 in the first quarter behind aggressive defense and efficient free-throw shooting. Both teams traded momentum in the second quarter, and Fort Valley State entered halftime trailing by just one possession, 30–29.
The Wildcats continued to apply defensive pressure in the third quarter, holding Tuskegee to only eight points while staying within striking distance. Entering the fourth quarter down 38–38 earlier in the period, Fort Valley State remained poised. However, Tuskegee capitalized on key opportunities late in the game to narrowly secure the five-point victory.

Aaniyah Allen led the Wildcats with an outstanding performance, scoring a game-high 20 points while adding four assists, four rebounds, and a steal. She consistently attacked the basket and converted 7-of-9 free throw attempts to pace the Fort Valley State offense.

Kimora Wade provided a strong presence in the paint, finishing with 17 points and five rebounds. Her ability to draw fouls and convert at the free-throw line proved critical, as she went 9-for-14 from the stripe. Marley Bell contributed six points, five rebounds, and two blocks, while India McIntosh anchored the defense with seven rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and four points.

Defensively, Fort Valley State held its own with five blocks and five steals, while limiting Tuskegee's perimeter effectiveness. The Wildcats also controlled the defensive glass with 31 defensive rebounds and forced competitive possessions throughout the contest.

Despite the narrow loss, Fort Valley State demonstrated determination and defensive toughness, battling a strong Tuskegee squad until the final buzzer. The Wildcats' balanced scoring effort and defensive intensity continue to highlight their resilience as they close out the 2025-2026 season.