FORT VALLEY, Ga – The Lady Wildcats fought until the very end in Saturday’s homecoming rivalry facing Albany State University (ASU). Marley Bell secured the offensive rebound with just one second left in overtime to float up the buzzer-beater to win it 61-59 for Fort Valley.
After a blocked shot by Bell with 32 seconds left in overtime, she drew a foul in which she made both free throws to take a 59-57 lead. ASU answers with 10 seconds left to tie the game at 59. On the final possession of the game guard Aniyah Allen brought the ball up the floor and passed to Taylor Addison whose shot was blocked and rebounded by Bell.
Bell finished the game with 15 points and 12 rebounds while getting 3 takeaways. Aniyah Allen also scored 15 points and had 3 steals. They had assistance from Kimora Wade who had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Taylor Addison who scored 10 points and came up with 2 takeaways.
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In the first quarter the Wildcats offense struggled to find a groove, only scoring six points and finding themselves down 12-6 early. Coming out in the second quarter Fort Valley found a rhythm and cut the deficit to two points, 12-10, with 7:50 left in the half. The lead got back up to ten for ASU with 5:10 left at 21-11. With a 9-0 run in the next five minutes, Fort Valley found themselves only down 23-22 at the half.
The third quarter saw ASU once again taking control of the game with a 42-35 lead off steady scoring and rebounding. Fort Valley trailed in the second half until two clutch free throws from Aniyah Allen to go up 51-50 with 10 seconds left in the game. ASU immediately answered with an and-one to take the 53-51 lead. At the very last second, Allen found Bell for the game tying layup to force overtime.
Fort Valley’s Lady Wildcats have two games remaining taking place on February 24 at Savannah State University and February 26 at Edwards Waters University with a 5:30 PM EST tip.