CLEVELAND, Tenn. – A career game for senior Maggie Davis lifted the Valdosta State Lady Blazers to a thrilling 64-63 Gulf South Conference victory over the Lee Lady Flames on Saturday afternoon in Cleveland, Tenn..
 
For the first time since January 6^th of last year, two Lady Blazers combined for 20 points or more, as Davis scored a career high 23 points, and April Thomas hit five three pointers en route to a 21 point effort.
 
Facing a four point, 63-59 deficit with just 1:17 to play in regulation, Imari Simpson scored on a power move near the basket to cut LU's lead to two points. The red and black came up with a defensive stop to set the Lady Blazers up with an opportunity to tie the game. Davis was fouled on a shot attempt with 10 seconds to play, and hit one of two to make it 63-62 in favor of the Lady Flames with eight seconds to go. Lee freshman Shelby Brown missed a free throw attempt and Davis made the game changing play when she hauled in the rebound, dribbled the length of the floor, and hit the winning layup with just two seconds remaining.
 
The Lady Flames were practically unconscious in the first half, especially from long range. Led by Erin Walsh, Lee buried five of six attempts from beyond the arc. Walsh accounted for four of those five three balls and finished the first half with 12 points.
 
Despite the 83.3 percent shooting display from three point range in the half, the Lady Blazers weathered the storm and capitalized on a 14 first half points from Davis to keep the contest within reach. Davis' effort complemented seven steals by the VSU defense, who also forced 15 first half turnovers by the Lady Flames.
 
The second half began with a three point shootout in the opening minutes between Thomas and Lee freshman Emileigh Swafford. Swafford hit two from beyond the arc in the opening minutes of the frame, but Thomas immediately answered on each ensuing possession with a three of her own.
 
The shootout set the tone for the remainder of the contest, as both teams traded baskets throughout the remainder of the game before its heart-stopping conclusion.

The Lady Blazers survived a 25 point afternoon by Lee freshman Emileigh Swafford, who shot 10-of-21 from the field and 3-of-6 from three point range. Walsh added 20 on the day after connecting on 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.

Davis finished the contest with an 8-of-12 effort from the field and added three long balls to match her career high for three pointers in a single game.
 
The win gave VSU their 10^th victory of the 2014-15 season and improved the Lady Blazers to 10-11 overall, 6-9 in GSC play. For the Lady Flames, the loss marked just their second of the season on their home floor and dropped the team to 12-5 overall, 9-5 against league opponents.
 
Valdosta State returns home for more GSC basketball action next Thursday, February 5, to host Mississippi College at The Complex. The matchup is scheduled to tipoff at 6:00 p.m. and will be the first of two home games to take place next week in Valdosta, Ga..