MOBILE, Ala. (January 18, 2022) – The Spring Hill College (SHC) men's basketball team earned a thrilling 76-73 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) home victory over the Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Wildcats at the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center on Tuesday night in a make-up contest of a game postponed in December due to Covid Protocols.
SHC faced the Wildcats (2-12; 2-5 SIAC East) without their head coach
Craig Kennedy due to Covid Protocols, but assistant coach Patrick Niland was equal to the challenge as the Badgers built out as much as a 16-point advantage with 2:57 left on the clock.
FVSU refused to quit, however, and used accurate shooting and benefited from costly SHC turnovers to slice the lead to just 3-points with 2.7 seconds remaining. The Wildcats attempted a game-tying shot from the right corner in front of their own bench, but
Beril Kabamba got a hand on the ball for the game saving block as the final horn sounded.
SHC shot 51.1% (24-47) from the floor and 47.6% (10-21) from beyond the arc while draining 81.8% (18-22) of their free throws.
David Daniels led all scorers with 17 points,
John Abate added 15 points,
Tana Kopa was 4-of-7 in 3-point attempts for 14 points, Kambamba contributed 13 points, and
Sam Davidson pitched in 10 points. Rebounding was even at 31 apiece, but the Badgers lost 30 turnovers to 16 Ft. Valley steals, resulting in 25 points off turnovers for the Wildcats.
FVSU shot 43.5% (27-62) including 22.2% (4-18) from 3-point range while making just 68.2% (15-22) of their free throws. Five Wildcats reached double-digits in scoring led by 13 each from Ty'Reek Johnson and Pierre Mitchell. FVSU lost 19 turnovers to seven SHC steals leading to 22 Badger points on the other end.
The win snapped a 9-game losing skid for the Spring Hill men.
The Badgers (2-13, 1-7 SIAC West) will be back in home action at the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. when they host the Miles College Golden Bears (12-3; 7-1 SIAC West).
