Box Score LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Valdosta State snapped a three-game losing streak and extended West Alabama's skid to six games with a 73-55 Gulf South Conference women's basketball victory Thursday at Pruitt Hall.
The Lady Blazers improved to 10-8 overall and 5-7 in Gulf South Conference play. The Tigers dipped to 4-15 and 1-12.
Brittany Jones' jumper less than two minutes into the game gave UWA its only lead. Twenty-two seconds later April Thomas drained a three-pointer and Valdosta State never trailed again. Those three were the first of a game-high 20 points for Thomas.
"We gave up too many easy baskets in the first half," UWA head coach Craig Roden said. "They beat us in transition and we probably gave them 18 easy baskets."
The Lady Blazers built a 30-15 lead before Roden picked up a pair of technical fouls and was ejected with 5:07 left in the first half. Over the next 17 minutes West Alabama outscored the Lady Blazers 29-23 to cut the lead to 13 points (57-44) with 7:53 left in the game and then to 62-50 with 3:55 to play.
"We rallied to give ourselves a chance in the second half," Roden said. "We fought to get it back to 12 and I felt like if we could get it under 10 then we would have a chance, but we just couldn't climb that hill."
With UWA closing in, Valdosta State went to work at the free throw line to put the game away. The Lady Blazers made 11-of-14 free throws in the second half and converted 18-of-23 in the game while shooting 51-percent from the floor (23-of-45). VSU outrebounded UWA 36-20.
"They are a tough team to rebound against because they keep you moving," Roden said. "I didn't think we blocked out very well, but some of that discrepancy goes to the fact that they shot the ball very well."
Jasmine Hampton scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead West Alabama.
Kelcia Bufkin chipped in 10 points and
Jada Williams had seven steals.
Any Duke scored 10 points to round out double-figure scoring for Valdosta State. Jordan Waugh had a game-high nine rebounds.
West Alabama is host to West Florida at Pruitt Hall on Saturday at 2 p.m. Valdosta State travels to Alabama-Huntsville Saturday.
