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McKenzie Parker
Joe Chance
67
Winner West Alabama UWA 6-6 (3-2 GSC)
54
Valdosta State VSU 9-5 (3-3 GSC)
Winner
West Alabama UWA
6-6 (3-2 GSC)
67
Final
54
Valdosta State VSU
9-5 (3-3 GSC)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
West Alabama UWA 21 18 14 14 67
Valdosta State VSU 17 15 15 7 54

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Parker, Groce Lead UWA to Win at Valdosta State

VALDOSTA, Ga.– McKenzie Parker and Kierra Groce combined for 38 points to lead West Alabama to a 67-54 Gulf South Conference women's basketball victory over Valdosta State Saturday at The Complex.
 
Parker scored a career-high 20 points, converting 7-of-10 from the floor, 6-of-9 from behind the three-point arc. Groce equaled her career-best with 18 points, duplicating her effort at Fort Valley State earlier this season.
 
Parker and Groce combined to make 14-of-23 from the field. Tazsa Garrett-Hammett controlled the boards for West Alabama, collecting a season-high 12 rebounds while getting her first action playing at the post.
 
RECORDS
UWA improved to 6-6, 3-2 in GSC play. VSU is 9-5 and 3-3, losing for just the second time in nine outings at home this year.
 
STREAKS
The Tigers snapped Valdosta State's modest winning streak at three games.
 
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS LEADERS
Points: UWA – McKenzie Parker, 20; VSU – Matty Corazza, 14
Rebounds: UWA – Tazsa Garrett-Hammett 12; VSU – Jazmym McIntosh, 11
Assists: UWA – J'Nyiah Daniels 3; VSU – Kayla Bonilla, 5
Steals: UWA – Two with 2; VSU – Two with 2
Blocked Shots: UWA – Tazsa Garrett-Hammett, 1; VSU – Jazmyn McIntosh 2
 
TEAM STATISTICS
 Rebounds: UWA 51, VSU 34
Assists: UWA 10, VSU 14
Steals: UWA 7, VSU 14
Blocked Shots: UWA 1, VSU 2
FG Percentage: UWA .381 (24-63); VSU .311 (19-61)
3FG Percentage: UWA .381 (8-21); VSU .240 (6-25)
FT Percentage: UWA .733 (11-15); VSU .833 (10-12)
Turnovers: UWA 18, VSU 13
 
ALONG THE WAY
*West Alabama built a 21-17 lead after the first quarter, with McKenzie Parker and Kierra Groce combining for 12 points in the first 10 minutes. 
 
*The Tigers stretched the lead to 30-19 in the first 3:29 of the second quarter, putting together a 15-2 run while holding Valdosta State to just 1-of-8 from the floor. 
 
*West Alabama's defense restricted the Lady Blazers to just 5-of-18 from the floor in the second period, including 1-of-9 from behind the three-point line for a 39-32 halftime lead. 
 
*UWA's largest lead in the first 20 minutes was 12 points.
 
*Parker connected on 5-of-7 from the floor in the first half, including 4-of-6 three pointers, for 14 points at the intermission. Groce had 12 at the halfway point.
 
*The Lady Blazers cut UWA's lead to 51-47 on a three-pointer by Kayla Bonilla with 2:50 left in the third period. Bonilla's make stopped VSU's missed three-pointer streak at 10.
 
*West Alabama maintained its lead, 53-47, after three quarters, controlling the rebounding margin 34-26 over the first 30 minutes.
 
*West Alabama ending up destroying the Lady Blazers, 51-34, on the glass, 17-8 in the fourth quarter.
 
"The Tigers refused to take their collective defensive foot off the Lady Blazers in the fourth period, limiting VSU to just 1-for-7 from the floor in the first six minutes of the quarter. 
 
*After connecting on 21-of-47 (.448) through three quarters, UWA shooters also went cold in the final 10 minutes, making just xx-of-xx, but managed to maintain a double-digit lead through much of the quarter.
 
*West Alabama led for 34:26 and its largest lead was 13 points (67-54 with 0:10 left to play).
 
QUOTING COACH RUSTY CRAM
 
"Valdosta State is a very good basketball team. When you beat them on their court you have done something. I am just as proud of our kids as I can be.
 
"We have known all along that McKenzie (Parker) is a great shooter, one of the best on the league. She just needs more and more confidence and gained some today. And don't forget Kierra (Groce), she has been going through some tough times, but came out and put together a great game.
 
"Tazsa (Garrett-Hammett) did a great job playing at the five. She is playing out of position due to our injuries but answered the bell. I am tickled to death for her. 
 
"Our four goals were rebounding, cutting opponent free throws in half, contest what we could on the threes and control the paint. We accomplished that.
 
"This had nothing to do with coaching, our kids just wanted it more. Valdosta only had two transition buckets.
 
"Ours kids did a great job reaching down and finished. Our goal was to finish. We fought toe-to-toe. Our kids grew up.
 
 
UP NEXT
*West Alabama remains on the road in the GSC, playing at Auburn-Montgomery Monday at 6 p.m.
 
*Valdosta State travels to Mississippi College Thursday. Tipoff is 5:30 p.m.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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