Women's Basketball 1/11/2018 10:53:00 PM

Women's Basketball Preview: Christian Brothers/Union

VALDOSTA STATE at CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
WHAT: Gulf South Conference Women's Basketball WHEN: Saturday, January 13th, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. EST WHERE: Memphis, Tenn. - Canale Arena Audio Link \| Video Link \| Stats Link \| Game Notes

VALDOSTA STATE at UNION
WHAT: Gulf South Conference Women's Basketball WHEN: Monday, January 15th, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. EST WHERE: Jackson, Tenn. - Fred Delay Gymnasium Audio Link \| Video Link \| Stats Link \| Game Notes

VALDOSTA STATE LADY BLAZERS 11-4, 5-2 GSC
ON A ROLL - In their first game of the 2018 calendar year, the Lady Blazers traveled to Cleveland, Tenn. to face Lee University. Valdosta State lost that contest with a 23.4 percent shooting effort from the field and a 13.6 percentage from the three point line. The squad learned from the loss, however, and in the three games since, VSU has won three straight games while shooting 42.8 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from long distance. During that same stretch, the Lady Blazers outscored their opponents 66.7 to 46.7 and held the opposition to a 33.3 field goal percentage. Kenya Samone' Dixon is averaged a double-double during the recent streak with 18.0 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game. Furthermore, Madi Mitchell is averaging 20-plus points per game at 20.7 and is just under the double digit mark in rebounding with an average of 8.3 per game. STRONG AT THE STRIPE - Valdosta State has seen tremendous success at the free throw line so far this season. With a team shooting percentage of 75.9 percent, the Lady Blazers currently lead the league in free throw shooting. Ten of the 13 players who have earned minutes for VSU this season are shooting above 70 percent at the free throw line, while Kenya Samone' Dixon and Crystal Townsend lead the way individually with percentages of 83.7 and 81.0, respectively. Madi Mitchell ranks fourth in the GSC (76.2) among shooters who are averaging at least 2.5 free throws per game. ELITE STATUS - Senior Madi Mitchell connected on a short baseline jumper in the second quarter of Thursday night's win over Shorter to become the newest member of the Lady Blazer basketball 1,000-point club. The achievement made Mitchell just the 26th Lady Blazer in VSU women's basketball history to reach the milestone. Mitchell currently ranks sixth in the Gulf South Conference in scoring with an average of 15.9 points per game. She also ranks fifth in the league in rebounding with an average of 8.5 per game.

VALDOSTA STATE LADY BLAZERS

11-4, 5-2 GSC

ON A ROLL - In their first game of the 2018 calendar year, the Lady Blazers traveled to Cleveland, Tenn. to face Lee University. Valdosta State lost that contest with a 23.4 percent shooting effort from the field and a 13.6 percentage from the three point line. The squad learned from the loss, however, and in the three games since, VSU has won three straight games while shooting 42.8 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from long distance. During that same stretch, the Lady Blazers outscored their opponents 66.7 to 46.7 and held the opposition to a 33.3 field goal percentage. Kenya Samone' Dixon is averaged a double-double during the recent streak with 18.0 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game. Furthermore, Madi Mitchell is averaging 20-plus points per game at 20.7 and is just under the double digit mark in rebounding with an average of 8.3 per game.
STRONG AT THE STRIPE - Valdosta State has seen tremendous success at the free throw line so far this season. With a team shooting percentage of 75.9 percent, the Lady Blazers currently lead the league in free throw shooting. Ten of the 13 players who have earned minutes for VSU this season are shooting above 70 percent at the free throw line, while Kenya Samone' Dixon and Crystal Townsend lead the way individually with percentages of 83.7 and 81.0, respectively. Madi Mitchell ranks fourth in the GSC (76.2) among shooters who are averaging at least 2.5 free throws per game.
ELITE STATUS - Senior Madi Mitchell connected on a short baseline jumper in the second quarter of Thursday night's win over Shorter to become the newest member of the Lady Blazer basketball 1,000-point club. The achievement made Mitchell just the 26th Lady Blazer in VSU women's basketball history to reach the milestone. Mitchell currently ranks sixth in the Gulf South Conference in scoring with an average of 15.9 points per game. She also ranks fifth in the league in rebounding with an average of 8.5 per game.

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS LADY BUCS 4-9, 3-4 GSC
SERIES HISTORY - The matchup between Valdosta State and Christian Brothers marks the 15th in series history. The Lady Blazers hold an 8-6 edge over the Lady Bucs, and Head Coach Carley Kuhns led VSU to wins in each of their two matchups last season during Kuhns' first year at the helm. Visiting teams have seen the most success in this series, and Valdosta State has taken five out of six all-time matchups at Canale Arena in Memphis, Tenn. UP AND DOWN IN 2018 - After defeating both Auburn Montgomery and West Georgia in early January for their first two home wins of the season, the Lady Bucs fell into a two-game skid with lopsided losses to both Alabama-Huntsville and North Alabama. DOUBLE TROUBLE - Seniors Rafaella Angelidou and Courtney Banks have teamed up to represent the top two scorers on CBU's team. Banks joined the team at the end of the first semester, and in the five games since, has scored 58 points in five games for an 11.6 points per game average. Angelidou has served as a steady force with a 43.6 field goal percentage and an average of 12.2 points per game.

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS LADY BUCS

4-9, 3-4 GSC

SERIES HISTORY - The matchup between Valdosta State and Christian Brothers marks the 15th in series history. The Lady Blazers hold an 8-6 edge over the Lady Bucs, and Head Coach Carley Kuhns led VSU to wins in each of their two matchups last season during Kuhns' first year at the helm. Visiting teams have seen the most success in this series, and Valdosta State has taken five out of six all-time matchups at Canale Arena in Memphis, Tenn.
UP AND DOWN IN 2018 - After defeating both Auburn Montgomery and West Georgia in early January for their first two home wins of the season, the Lady Bucs fell into a two-game skid with lopsided losses to both Alabama-Huntsville and North Alabama.
DOUBLE TROUBLE - Seniors Rafaella Angelidou and Courtney Banks have teamed up to represent the top two scorers on CBU's team. Banks joined the team at the end of the first semester, and in the five games since, has scored 58 points in five games for an 11.6 points per game average. Angelidou has served as a steady force with a 43.6 field goal percentage and an average of 12.2 points per game.

UNION LADY BULLDOGS 14-1, 7-0 GSC
SERIES HISTORY - Historically, Valdosta State has struggled against the Lady Bulldogs, as Union holds the upper hand with an 8-3 series record. Two of those three Lady Blazer wins came just last year, however, as VSU flipped the script to take down the Lady Bulldogs in each of their regular season matchups. TOP OF THE HEAP - The Lady Bulldogs secured the top position in the Gulf South Conference after a thrilling win over the No. 21 ranked North Alabama Lions, who entered the matchup as the only remaining undefeated team in the Gulf South Conference. Union's success in 2017-18 has the Lady Bulldogs outscoring opponents by a 22.6 margin. Union enters the weekend as the only remaining team in the GSC with a perfect 7-0 record against league opponents. BUCKETS 'R US - A substantial portion of Union's success has come from a potent office that ranks second in the league and 10th in the country at 82.5 points per game. Four of the Lady Bulldogs' regular starters are averaging 10-plus points per game, with Bria Gaines and Jada Smith leading the way at 13.9 and 13.5 points per game.

UNION LADY BULLDOGS

14-1, 7-0 GSC

SERIES HISTORY - Historically, Valdosta State has struggled against the Lady Bulldogs, as Union holds the upper hand with an 8-3 series record. Two of those three Lady Blazer wins came just last year, however, as VSU flipped the script to take down the Lady Bulldogs in each of their regular season matchups.
TOP OF THE HEAP - The Lady Bulldogs secured the top position in the Gulf South Conference after a thrilling win over the No. 21 ranked North Alabama Lions, who entered the matchup as the only remaining undefeated team in the Gulf South Conference. Union's success in 2017-18 has the Lady Bulldogs outscoring opponents by a 22.6 margin. Union enters the weekend as the only remaining team in the GSC with a perfect 7-0 record against league opponents.
BUCKETS 'R US - A substantial portion of Union's success has come from a potent office that ranks second in the league and 10th in the country at 82.5 points per game. Four of the Lady Bulldogs' regular starters are averaging 10-plus points per game, with Bria Gaines and Jada Smith leading the way at 13.9 and 13.5 points per game.

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Players Mentioned

#15 Madi Mitchell: F; 6' 1"; Senior

#21 Crystal Townsend: G; 5' 8"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#15 Madi Mitchell
: 6' 1"; Senior
: F

#21 Crystal Townsend
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

Players Mentioned

#15 Madi Mitchell

#21 Crystal Townsend

Players Mentioned

#15 Madi Mitchell

#21 Crystal Townsend