JACKSON, Tenn. – The Valdosta State Lady Blazers gave the Gulf South Conference's top ranked Union Lady Bulldogs a great run on Thursday night in Jackson, Tenn., but came up just short in a 77-66 loss at DeLay Gymnasium.
 
Union's Amy Philamlee entered the game as the GSC's top offensive player, and the senior continued her offensive onslaught right out of the gate with a long three from the right wing to open up the contest. In the first half alone, she posted 24 points on 4-of-6 shooting from three point range and a perfect 12-of-12 display from the free throw line.
 
The Lady Blazers limited damage from elsewhere, however, and didn't allow any other player to score more than four points in the frame. That, combined with a strong showing from three point range by freshman Jo Bistrow, allowed VSU to pressure the Lady Bulldogs throughout the entire first half, which featured nine lead changes and three ties before intermission.
 
Trailing 37-31 after the halftime break, the Lady Blazers continued to nip at the heels of the Lady Bulldogs and pulled to within three points three different times within the first seven minutes of the second half.
 
With 12:59 to play, April Thomas took a pass in the corner, and buried her first three pointer of the night to tie the contest up at 44-44. Less than one minute later, she countered a Union layup with another three ball from the top of the key to give VSU their first lead of the second half at 47-46.
 
The next four minutes were tightly contested as the two teams traded leads up until the 9:01 mark, when Kelsey Risner opened up a five point advantage for Union after she connected on a three ball from the left wing.
 
The Lady Blazers kept the contest tight over the course of the next three minutes, but Union's biggest shot of the night may have come at the 6:00 mark, when Chelsea Bodiford, who had just five points in the contest, buried a shot from just outside the arc to push the Lady Bulldogs out in front 61-55.
 
VSU fought hard until the final buzzer, but Union held the Lady Blazers at bay the rest of the way to improve their record to 19-3 overall and 15-3 in GSC play. The loss dropped Valdosta State to 11-13 overall and 7-11 against league opponents on the year.
 
Philamlee led all scorers on the night and set a new career mark with 36 points scored. The Jonesboro, Ark. scored 19 of those points from the free throw line in 20 attempts.
 
For VSU, Thomas led the way offensively with 16 points, and Bistrow added 13 points, which fell just one point shy of tying the freshman's career high. Bistrow shot 50.0 percent from long distance and finished the night with four three balls in eight attempts.
 
The victory for Union Head Coach Mark Campbell marked his 500^th career victory.
 
The final road trip of the regular season continues for VSU on Saturday with an afternoon matchup in Memphis, Tenn. against the Lady Bucs of Christian Brothers. The contest starts at 3:00 p.m. EST and can be viewed live at www.vstateblazers.com.