COLUMBIA, S.C. --- In a tightly contested battle, the Allen University men's basketball team was defeated by Fort Valley State Monday afternoon, 72-68. 

After Fort Valley State built a seven point lead through the first 11 minutes of the game, 18-11, Allen found their offensive rhythm over the next nine minutes. To close out the first half, the Yellow Jackets saw Ethan Hill, Baker Beal, Peyton Weathersby, Marc Raye Jr, Jeremiah Francis, and Noel Scott all sink shots to trim the deficit and enter the locker rooms trailing by just one point, 32-31. The second half saw much of the same close battles as the first have did, with a total of four lead changes throughout the game. In the final moments, Akwari Smith knocked down a three-pointer to bring Allen within four points, but that was as close as the Yellow Jackets came to the Wildcats before time expired. 

Raye scored a game-high 22 points in the loss. The sophomore guard added five steals on the defensive end. Joining Raye in double figures was Weathersby with 13 points to pair with a team-high seven rebounds. 

The Yellow Jackets will be back in action on Saturday, January 25 as they host Savannah State. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside John Hurst Adams Gymnasium.