VALDOSTA, Ga. – The West Alabama women's basketball team ends a 14-day Christmas break by returning to the basketball court Saturday at Valdosta State. Tip off is scheduled for 5 p.m. central time.
 
West Alabama comes to The Complex on the VSU campus in search of its first Gulf South Conference victory and its first road win of the season. The Tigers are 3-6 overall and 0-3 in GSC play.
 
Valdosta State, whom the Tigers defeated twice last season, comes into Saturday's game 6-2 and 1-1. After opening the season 4-0, The Lady Blazers have split their last four games.
 
VSU and UWA are teams that came into the season from different places. The Lady Blazers returned five starters from last season, while the Tigers returned none. VSU returned eight letter winners and UWA returned just two who earned a letter in 2012-13.
 
While team scoring totals have slipped slightly since GSC play began, the scoring output for a trio of Tigers has improved. Guard Kelcia Bufkin's scoring output is almost four points better in GSC play (10.0 from 6.3 ppg). Forward Alexis Hewitt averages 7.8 points, but 8.3 in GSC play and guard Shameika Hart averages 10.7 in league play, up from 10.3 overall.
 
East Tennessee State transfer Amy Duke is the only VSU player averaging in double figure points at 11.5. Duke's 4.6 rebounds are the highest among five Lady Blazers who average at least four rebounds per game.
 
James Hardy will handle the live radio play-by-play locally on ESPN 104.9 and globally at www.espn1049.com. Follow West Alabama on Twitter for frequent in-game updates via @UWAathletics.