VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State women's basketball team survived a scare from the Webber International Warriors, and held on to win 56-53 in non-conference basketball action on Saturday night at The Complex.
In a contest riddled with turnovers, the Lady Blazers overcame 20 of them, thanks in large point to a strong effort off of VSU's bench that outscored the Warrior's reserves 21-7. Of those Blazer bench players, freshman
Jo Bistrow led the way with eight points on two three balls, both of which came within the final ten minutes of the game, to go along with two free throws.
Valdosta State struggled from the field throughout the contest and hit just 13 of their 46 attempts for a 28.3 percentage. Thankfully for the Lady Blazers, the Warriors weren't able to find their range either, shooting just 15-of-49 for a 30.6 percentage.
Despite the Lady Blazers' struggles from the field, April Thomas and
Imari Simpson both reached double figures and helped their team edge out the win. Thomas posted a team-high 19 points on the night after shooting 6-of-15 from the field and 4-of-11 from long distance, while Simpson racked up 14 points, 12 of which came from the free throw line.
The Lady Blazers were in control throughout the first half and took a nine point lead to the locker room, but a 13-2, seven-minute run by Webber to kick off the second period knotted the contest up at 35-35. In the ensuing eight minutes, both teams traded buckets throughout a stretch that featured three ties and two lead changes.
At the 5:44 mark, Simpson gave the Lady Blazers a two point lead with two of her 12 free throws, and one possession later, Bistrow stepped up to drill one her two aforementioned long balls.
The lead held for Valdosta State up until the final minute, when a three-point play by Webber forward Jurnee Pettigrew tied the game up once again at 52-52. Thomas was fouled on the next possession and connected on both free throws before
Maylisa Johnson came through with a critical defensive play with only 17 seconds to go in regulation. As Pettigrew attempted to inbound the ball, Johnson deflected the pass right back into the hands of Pettigrew as she stood out of bounds. The heads up play by Johnson resulted in one of Webber's 14 turnovers and allowed Valdosta State to regain possession and claim the win.
Head Coach
Kiley Hill's squad improved to 4-2 overall with the victory, while the Warriors evened up their 2014-15 season at 2-2.
The Lady Blazers now turn their attention to Gulf South Conference play, which begins early this year thanks to the new additions to the GSC. The long conference season kicks off on the road next week, as VSU travels to Florence, Ala. to face the North Alabama Lions, before finishing off the road trip with a Saturday matchup against the Chargers of Alabama-Huntsville. Both games can be seen and heard live on the web at www.vstateblazers.com.
