HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- The Valdosta State Lady Blazers suffered a heartbreaking 49-47 loss in a Gulf South Conference matchup against the rival Chargers of Alabama Huntsville on Thursday night in Huntsville, Ala.
 
With the loss, Valdosta State dropped to 9-8 overall and 5-7 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Chargers improved their overall team record to 10-6 and 7-5 in GSC play.
 
The Lady Blazers opened the contest with an early four point lead. However, with the efforts of the GSC Player of the Week, Dina Saunders, Alabama Huntsville reeled off six straight to reclaim the lead midway through the opening frame. Saunders tallied eight of the team's 11 first quarter points, but GSC Freshman of the Week Aaliyah Cheatham, knocked down an off balance three pointer at the buzzer to put the Blazers in front 13-11 heading into the second quarter.
 
In the second, the Lady Blazers keyed in on Saunders and held her scoreless. Alabama Huntsville shot just 2-of-10 from three-point range throughout the first half, while VSU went 3-of-6 behind the arc, but the Chargers were able to use the efforts of five other players to accumulate a total of 12 points and close out the first half knotted up at 23-23 with the red and black.
 
The Lady Blazers struggled to find the basket in the third quarter until Imari Simpson picked up a layup at the 5:05 mark to give VSU a one point advantage. The bucket marked the last field goal for Valdosta State until the 6:08 mark of the fourth quarter, and the Chargers capitalized on the drought to open up a 37-30 advantage.
 
Despite the Lady Blazers' offensive woes in the third quarter and early in the final period, Valdosta State scored 15 points during the final six minutes of the contest. As a result, VSU trailed by just one possession with less than one minute to go, but Josi Saunders delivered the dagger with a three ball from the left wing with 45 seconds remaining. The shot represented Josi Saunders' only three pointer of the night, and opened up a 47-41 lead that proved to be too much to overcome.
 
For VSU, Simpson led the squad with a team-high 12 points. Cheatham followed with ten points and seven assists. Davis also led the team in rebounds with 9 boards.
 
The Chargers were led by Josi Saunders and Dina Saunders with 11 and ten points, respectively.

Valdosta State will return to action on Saturday in a GSC matchup against the Lions of North Alabama. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST in Florence, Ala., with full coverage available at www.vstateblazers.com.