MOBILE, Ala. - Spring Hill College fought back twice to turn a 14-plus point deficit into two-possession games but was unable to complete the comeback Monday night in Outlaw Recreation Center, falling to Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Fort Valley State University, 105-97.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 16-5 lead to open the game, led by 10 points from Jaylon McMillan. Spring Hill was unable to cut it any closer in the first half, trailing 51-39 at the break.
Justin Allison hit a 3 to open the second half and cut the margin to single digits, 51-42, for the first time since the opening minutes of the game. The shot tied the freshman's career high with 19:46 to play.
Allison later hit a 3 around the 16-minute mark, followed by a pair of Ryan Littel free throws that made it a two-point game, 57-55. Thomas Hardy answered with five points for the Wildcats to keep FVSU in front by three possessions.
Fort Valley worked its lead as large as 16 points on another McMillan 3 with 9:57 to play. McMillan finished the night with a game-high 40 points. Allison later capped his scoring for the night with 30 points on a layup that brought the game back to single digits, 93-84, with three minutes to play.
Brandon Fischer, who scored 29 points for the Badgers, twice made it a four-point game in the final minute. FVSU fended off the rally attempt with an and-one dunk off a steal by Thomas Hardy in the final seconds to finish with 19 points.
David Daniels and Christian Brandt each scored 12 points and Jared Holland had 10 to follow Allison and Fischer's combined 59 points.
Shawn Foxbrennen (12) and Brentoncliettejordan Unname (11) also scored in double digits for FVSU (3-15, 2-5 SIAC).
Spring Hill (5-10, 1-5 SIAC) will return to action Monday, Jan. 14 when it hosts LeMoyne-Owen College at 7:30 p.m.
