VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State women's basketball team outscored visiting Thomas University 15-6 in the third quarter to pull away for a 61-43 victory Sunday afternoon at The Complex. Senior
Shon Kitchens had 11 points off the bench to lead three VSU players in double figures.
VSU improved to 8-4 on the year with the win as it shot .414 for the game on 24 of 58 from the field. The Lady Blazers were 7 of 14 from beyond the arc and 6 of 12 from the line, while outrebounding Thomas 46-29 and 16-7 on the offensive end, for a 10-0 lead in second chance points.
Junior
Nari Garner added 10 points off the bench, while senior
Sonya Franklin also had 10 points. Sophomore
Kayla Bonilla had six assists and seven points, while senior
Jazmyn McIntosh led the team with seven rebounds.
Thomas didn't have one player in double figures as Pkacia Johnson had a team-high nine points. VSU held the Night Hawks to just 30 percent shooting on 15 of 50, while TU went 5 of 17 from range and 8 of 11 from the line. Both teams committed 20 turnovers as VSU held a 20-14 lead in points off turnovers and dominated inside, 32-14.
A triple from Samantha Gilbert cut the VSU lead to 12-10 with 1:44 left in the first quarter, but VSU finished the frame on a 6-0 run with a triples from Bonilla and senior
Kendra Green for an 18-10 lead.
VSU swelled the lead to 15 early in the second quarter on a pair of occasions, but the Night Hawks began to pressure and got some steals and used an 11-3 run for a 32-25 deficit with 32 seconds left in the half. Kitchens buried a triple just before the half expired for a 35-25 lead at intermission.
The pivotal third period saw VSU open the frame on a 15-2 run through the first five minutes for a 50-27 lead capped on a pair of charity tosses from Kitchen. Johnson buried a triple and TU had one additional made free throw as neither team scored the final 1:44 of the quarter with VSU leading 50-31. After the 15-2 start in the quarter, VSU didn't score a point in the final 4:49 of the frame.
VSU went on for the 61-43 win as it stretched the lead to a game-high 23 points with a steal and layup from Franklin at 61-38 with 4:40 left as VSU didn't score the remainder of the game.
The Lady Blazers continue at home as West Florida and West Alabama visit on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, with Thursday's doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m. at The Complex.
