COLUMBIA, S.C. - the Allen University men's basketball team dropped an overtime heartbreaker 76-69 at home to Fort Valley State on Senior Night Monday evening.

The teams got off to a fast start as they were each shooting at a steady clip throughout the first half with Allen taking an early 13-7 lead before FVSU rallied to lead 30-17 with 5:45 to play. Allen however, then rallied and finished the first half on a 15-8 run to trail by just 6 points at the break (32-38).

The Jackets then went on a 7-0 run to start the second half to take a 39-38 lead before FVSU countered with a big 14-0 run of their own to grab a 52-39 lead with 14:45 to play. Then, it was AU's turn to go on a run as they would climb to within two points at 56-54 on back to back threes from sophomore guard Shawn Jones Jr. with 6:10 to play. 

Jumpers from senior Reggie Reynolds and Cameron Sembly and free throws from Jones would give Allen the lead at 61-59 with 2:27 to play. After FVSU went up 63-61 with under a minute to play, sophomore guard Chase Cook knocked down a loud three-pointer to stake the Jackets to a 64-63 edge with 51 seconds left. A layup and free throw from Anthony Baker Jr. then gave AU its biggest lead of the second half at 67-63 with 22 seconds to play. Unfortunately, back-to-back turnovers and a foul by AU would help FVSU tie teh game at 67 and send it to overtime.

FVSU then controlled the overtime period taking it 9-2 to grab the win. FVSU improves to 10-15 overall and 8-10 in the conference with the win while AU fell to 4-19 overall and 4-14 in the SIAC. FVSU shot 49 percent overall for the game and 47 percent from three while also shooting an impressive 95 percent from the free-throw line which helped them get the win. Allen shot nearly 42 percent overall and 33 percent from three, but just 59 percent from the free-throw line which ended up being the difference in the end. 

Allen was led by 19 points from senior guard Darius Williams while he also led with 4 assists and 2 steals along with 3 treys. Sembly found his stroke late and finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block while senior guard AJ Baker added 12 points, a team-best 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Reynolds also recorded 9 points with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Jones Jr. added 10 points as well while Cook scored 3 points. 

AU will next head across the street to battle rival Benedict at 3:30 PM Saturday.