Lady WIldcats Struggle But Beat Lady Bears, 57-48By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
November 30, 2009
The defending Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Champion Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) began conference play in earnest tonight as they traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to meet conference foe, the Lady Bears of Miles College. The Lady Wildcats entered the game with a 2-0 mark and faced a Lady Bear Team that was 2-1.
From the outset, it appeared as though the Lady Wildcats were on their way to an easy win in their first SIAC game of the season. Despite committing 15 first half fouls and shooting only 29% from the floor (9 of 31), the Lady Wildcat defense held the Lady Bears to just three field goals in the first 20 minutes of play. However, the unusually high number of first half fouls by FVSU gave the Lady Bears an opportunity to keep the score close. The Lady Bears converted on 16 of 21 free throws as the Lady Wildcats managed a 31-22 lead at halftime.
After the intermission, that’s when the struggle began for the Lady Wildcats. After a free throw conversion at the 16:23 mark to lead 32-28, the Lady Wildcats would not get another basket until approximately 12 minutes left in the game on a jump shot by Takesha Riggs. At nine minutes remaining, the Lady Wildcats had only eight second half points yet they still led.
The shooting drought finally caught up with the Lady Wildcats at the six minute mark when the Lady Bears converted on a basket to tie the game at 41 each. Then, at five minutes remaining, the Lady Bears claimed their first lead after a basket, 42-41.
The loss of the lead seemed to finally thaw the Lady Wildcats who quickly reclaimed the lead at the 4:55 mark on their way to the 57-48 win.
On the night, the Lady Wildcats had just one player to score in double figures. Takesha Riggs finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Kendra Evans and Yaskeeka Jones contributed nine points each to the Lady Wildcat win.
The Lady Wildcats are now 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the SIAC. FVSU travels back to Alabama on Saturday, December 5th when they meet the Lady Tigers of Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The SIAC contest tips-off at 5:30 p.m. (CST).
http://www.fvsuwildcats.com/news/2009/11/30/WBBLady_Wildcats_Struggle_But_Beat_Lady_Bears.aspx