FORT VALLEY, Ga. -- Miles did not score a basket over the last 6:17 against Fort Valley State and could not close the door on the Lady Wildcats despite having the lead with less than three minutes left, dropping a 48-43 decision Monday night at the HPER Complex.

The win was the first this season for FVSU (1-16, 1-8 SIAC East) while the Lady Bears (4-8, 2-3 SIAC West) have now alternated wins and losses over their last four contests. Victoria Sutton scored 14 points and Amoni Walker added 10 points for Miles, which could not capitalize on the 31 turnovers it forced from the Lady Wildcats.

Miles started slow but closed the first quarter on a 7-0 run to lead 15-9. The Lady Bears held that lead into halftime and when Jasmine Hollis (four points, nine rebounds) knocked down two free throws with 4:47 left in the third quarter, the Golden Bears held a 34-24 advantage and looked ready to send FVSU to another loss. But the struggles from the field began in earnest as the Lady Bears would miss eight of their last nine shots of the quarter and led just 37-32.

Two free throws from Nola Carter tied the game at 37 but baskets by Sutton and Frantisha Tyson (two points, four assists, three steals) put Miles back in front. But while FVSU was not setting the world on fire, they did just enough to outlast the Lady Bears and earn the win.

Alicia Franklin scored 17 points to lead the Lady Wildcats. Raiana Johnson had four points and four rebounds for Miles, which plays next at Central State on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for noon.