VALDOSTA, Ga. - As a member of the Gulf South Conference, the women's basketball team at Valdosta State faces tough challenges with each new game. No game, however, may provide a bigger challenge than the one they will face on Thursday night in Jackson, Tenn. against the Union Lady Bulldogs.

The Lady Bulldogs are one of the newest additions to the GSC, and the team has hit the ground running. The team currently holds the top position in the league rankings, and they lead the GSC in nine different statistical categories. 

Head Coach Mark Campbell and his squad hold the top position in offensive scoring with an average of 76.8 points per game, and also lead the league in scoring margin (+13.4), free throw percentage (77.9), field goal percentage (45.0), three pointers made (228), and assists per game (15.2).

Much of the credit for the team's accomplishments this season lies with Amy Philamlee, the GSC's leading scorer this season with an average of 22.0 points per game. Her success from the field has also placed her among the nation's best, as she ranks third in the country in scoring and second in all of Division II in assists with an average of 8.2 per contest.

Union has been especially tough on their home floor and have yet to be defeated in DeLay Gymnasium with a record of 10-0 thus far. The Lady Blazers have shown the ability to perform well under tough road conditions, however, as they recently defeated Lee in Cleveland, Tenn. Prior to that win for VSU, the Lady Flames had fallen just once on their home turf.

The Lady Blazers will aim to delay Campbell of his 500th career victory on Thursday night. Campbell has built a record of 499-69 during his 16 years at Union, as he placed himself one victory shy of the milestone with his most recent win last weekend against the West Alabama Tigers.

Valdosta State enters the game with three players averaging double-digit scoring this season, as April Thomas, Imari Simpson, and Maggie Davis hold scoring averages of 14.4, 11.4, and 10.4 points per game respectively. In addition, Maylisa Johnson currently holds the mark at No. 2 in the GSC with 3.3 assists per game.