Carrollton – It was a dominant home opener for the West Georgia Wolves here Friday night. The 18th ranked Wolves pinned a decisive, 85-63 decision on traditional SIAC power Fort Valley State.
Dominic Cranford was UWG’s driving force on this night. The reigning GSC East Player of the Year scored a game-high 24 points, hitting 11-of-15 shots from the field. The senior form Jackson, Miss., also pulled seven rebounds and dished five assists.
Tia Jackson got UWG’s night off to a good start, hitting a three-pointer for the game’s first points and giving the Wolves a lead they would never relinquish. West Georgia led by as many as 16 in the first half, 34-18, and carried a 42-31 margin into halftime.
That was as close as the Lady Wildcats would be the remainder of the evening. UWG steadily stretched the lead throughout the second half, leading by as many as 31, 78-47, with 5:05 to play.
Beyond Cranford, three other Wolves scored in double figures.
Ashley Huff scored 15, though she played but 17 minutes due to foul problems. Jackson and
Ashley Ogletree chipped in with 12 apiece. Shekiya Tompkins paced Fort Valley State (0-1) with 18, while Takesha Riggs added 11.
UWG shot the ball very well, hitting 32-of-55 from the field for a 58.2% total. Fort Valley State shot only 33.3%, hitting 22-of-66 from the field. West Georgia also forced 23 turnovers and notched 11 steals.
The only downer for the Wolves on the stat sheet was in the rebounding department. Fort Valley State controlled the boards, 40-34, including 22 offensive rebounds.
West Georgia returns to action Monday with a road game at Columbus State, the first of six straight away from home. The Wolves’ next home game isn’t until a December 14 rematch with Columbus State.