Box Score VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State set a pair of Gulf South Conference defensive records on the way to a 70-20 women's college basketball victory over West Alabama Saturday at The Complex.
The 20 points scored by West Alabama tied the league record for fewest points scored against a GSC team and set the record for fewest points in a game between two GSC opponents, both held by VSU opponents. Valdosta State limited Puerto Rico at Cayey to 20 points in a game during the 2008-09 season and West Georgia managed just 24 against the Lady Blazers in 2006-07.
The win improves Valdosta State to 7-2 overall and 2-1 in GSC play. West Alabama lost its fifth straight game and dropped to 3-7 and 0-4.
"It's disappointing to play that poorly and I know our fans are disappointed, but we have to keep looking down the stretch at the big picture," UWA head coach Craig Roden said. "We are adjusting some things to better fit our personnel and obviously didn't execute it very well. We just have to keep working."
Valdosta State led 33-12 at the half, limiting West Alabama to just 20-percent (4-of-20) from the floor and forcing 14 Tiger turnovers. West Alabama had two extended stretches in the first half without making a field goal, one for 9:52 and another for 6:55.
The Tigers cold snap continued in the second half, with the first UWA field goal coming on a
Quentinette Odom layup with 11:53 left in the game and the Tigers then went over four minutes twice between field goals. The Tigers shot 16-percent from the field, making 7-of-42 field goal attempts.
The Tigers committed 23 turnovers, which Valdosta State converted into 36 points. VSU finished with a 41-9 scoring advantage off the bench and held a 17-0 advantage on fast break points.
April Thomas led Valdosta State scoring with 17 points and Amy Duke chipped in 14. VSU shot 43-percent (26-60) from the floor and outrebounded UWA 43-32. Courtney Sprague had seven boards to lead all rebounders.
Jasmine Hampton and Odom scored four points apiece to lead Tiger scoring. Odom finished with five rebounds.
UWA plays the second of a three-game road swing Monday at West Florida, with tipoff at noon. Valdosta State is host to Alabama-Huntsville on Monday.
