By: FVSU Office of Sports Information
The 2009-2010 season for the Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) came to an end earlier today after a 50-49 loss to the Lady Blazers of Valdosta State University in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Regional Tournament on the campus of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas.
The Lady Wildcats came into the tournament seeded third while the Lady Blazers were ranked sixth. The winner is scheduled to meet the Lady Statesmen of Delta State University in the semi-finals on Sunday at 1 p.m. Unfortunately, the Lady Wildcats had a first half that did irreparable harm to their chances for advancing to semi-final round.
In a first half in which the Lady Wildcats scored a season low 15 points, the five of 27 (18.5%) shooting performance led to a comfortable cushion for the Lady Blazers who took a 28-15 advantage at halftime. In the first minute of the second half, that lead was stretched to 17 points with 19:09 remaining.
However, you don’t win your regular season conference championship; rise to as high as seven in national polls; and get the number one ranking in the NCAA South Region without showing heart. The Lady Wildcats did so in their loss to Valdosta!
Facing a 17 point deficit, the Lady Wildcats did not simply fold their tent and head back to Fort Valley. They choose, instead, to fight! After trailing for almost the entire game, the Lady Wildcats fought back from the large deficit to claim a one point lead (47-46) with 1:55 left in the game.
In a game which featured four lead changes and two ties in the last 1:55, the Lady Wildcats were not able to maintain the slim lead and eventually fell to the Lady Blazers.
The senior Takesha Riggs finished her last game as a Lady Wildcat with 13 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one block. Sophomore Yasheeka Jones also had 13 points and KaDeidra Freeland contributed 11 points.
-Wildcats Athletics-
