By Kai Caddy
Sports Editor

After a furious comeback Friday afternoon, the Sugar Bears were unable to hold of Fort Valley State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Winter Park, Fla. losing 79-77.

The Sugar Bears trailed by as many as 14, but started to chip away at the lead. Soon the game got close. With 18.5 seconds left Carone Harris dove for a steal, then got up and nailed a 3-pointer to tie the game at 77.

In the next 18 seconds, Fort Valley State held the ball for the last shot. After missing that last shot, it got another. Freshman Amanda Ray got the rebound and put the ball back in the basket at the buzzer for the 79-77 win.

Sherika Tarpkins led FVSU with 34 points, Ray had 11.

Harris led the Sugar Bears with 30, freshman Caronica Randle had 20 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Genai Walker had 13 points and 17 boards in her final game as a Sugar Bear.

More to come in this week's Echo.