MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The Valdosta State Lady Blazers fashioned a convincing 69-63 victory over the Gulf South Conference Lady Bucs of Christian Brothers on Thursday night in Memphis, Tenn.

With the win, Valdosta State improved to 4-4 on the season and 1-1 in conference action. Meanwhile, the Lady Bucs dropped to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in GSC play.

The two teams went shot for shot throughout the first quarter, before Madi Mitchell went hard to the rim with 35 seconds remaining on the clock to ensure the Lady Blazers a six point lead late in the frame. The Lady Bucs rallied back, however, with two quick strikes in the final seconds to cut the deficit to only one at 16-15.

Kenya Samone' Dixon opened the second quarter scoring with two free-throws, but each time VSU attempted to extend the lead, Christian Brothers was there to answer back. The trend continued midway through the second after Cassie Geopfert delivered her first score of the night on layup which allowed the Lady Blazers to take a five point lead at 28-23. Sara Owen fired back with one of CBU's nine three pointers just seconds later to keep CBU close, and the Lady Bucs even pulled to within one point at 31-30 before Aaliyah Cheatham notched the final two points of the half with a jumper.

In the first half, the Lady Blazers shot 83.3 percent at the free-throw line, 38.2 percent from the field, and 28.6 percent from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Lady Bucs struggled from the free throw line at 44.4 percent on a 4-of-9 effort, while shooting 37.9 percent inside the arc, and 33.3 percent from long range.

Maddy Corazza opened the second half on a high note with a big three ball within the first two minutes, but the Lady Bucs' reeled off a 13-7 run over the course of the next four minutes to knot the contest up at 43-43. Less than one minute later, Samantha Reeves connected on a layup for two of her 17 points to give CBU their first lead of the night at 45-44.

Christian Brothers took the lead into the closing frame, before Samone' Dixon took over the game and helped VSU reclaim a 57-56 lead with a key bucket midway through the half. The two teams traded leads six more times during the ensuing two minutes, before Samone' Dixon scored four of her 11 fourth-quarter points on back-to-back layups at the 3:04 and 1:51 marks, respectively. The Lady Blazer defense locked down from that point forward to hold CBU scoreless the rest of the way.

For VSU, Samone' Dixon put on a show, as she led the offense with 20 points and eight rebounds on the night. Mitchell contributed with yet another double-double that included 19 points and a career-high 15 boards. Mitchell's effort marked her seventh consecutive double-double. Sonya Franklin chipped in with 15 points, helping take down CBU on their home court for the first time this season.

Up next, Valdosta State will stay on the road as they travel to face the Lady Bulldogs of Union on Saturday in Jackson, Tenn. The game is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. EST tipoff time.