MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Behind a game-high 20 points from sophomore Kayla Bonilla, the Valdosta State women's basketball team closed the game with a 16-2 run over the final 6:55 for the 55-49 win Saturday afternoon.  With the win, VSU improved to 14-6 overall and 8-4 in the Gulf South Conference, while AUM fell to 2-16 and 1-9 in league play.  VSU ended the game with a 16-2 run.
 
Trailing 43-39 entering the fourth quarter, the Lady Blazers turned on the gas as they outscored AUM 16-6 in the final frame for the victory.  In the final quarter, AUM stretched the lead to eight at 47-39 with 7:11 left, but an "and one" from senior Crystal Townsend pulled VSU within 47-42 with 6:54 left, beginning a run of 16-2 to end the game as AUM didn't score a bucket until 17 seconds left during the run. 
 
Bonilla went 7 of 13 from the field with one triple and was 5 of 7 from the line to lead three players in double figures.  Townsend tallied 12 points and senior Maddy Corazza added 10.  Townsend led the way with eight rebounds. 
 
As a team, the Lady Blazers shot 19 of 58 from the floor for 32.8 percent, while going 2 of 13 from beyond the arc and 15 of 22 from the line.  VSU dominated the offensive glass to the tune of 15-5 for a 16-5 lead in second chance points, while dominating inside for a 30-18 lead in points in the paint. 
 
AUM shot 19 of 50 from the field for 38 percent, while going 5 of 23 from beyond the arc and was just 6 of 8 from the line.  VSU was 11 of 16 from the line in the second half, while AUM was 2 of 2.  Victoria Morales paced the team with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Jordan Brewster had 16 points and Evelina Avleeva added 10. 
 
Both teams struggled out of the gates a VSU took a 1-0 lead on a free throw with 7:26 left in the first quarter.  VSU broke an 8-8 score with a bucket at the buzzer by senior Shon Kitchens for a 10-8 lead through one period.
 
Corazza extended the lead to 13-8 with a triple to open the second quarter and senior Sonya Franklin extended the lead to 15-8 moments later.  Back-to-back triples from Brewster pulled AUM within 15-14.  The Warhawks regained the lead with an "and one" with five minutes left in the half at 18-17.  Townsend hit two free throws with 4:11 left in the half for a 21-18 lead as AUM finished the half on a 10-0 run for a 28-21 lead at intermission. 

AUM extended the run to 14-0 with the first two buckets in the second half for a 32-21 lead.  Corazza ended a scoring drought of over eight minutes with one free throw with 7:05 left in the third and kept chipping away to trail 43-39 through three quarters.
 
VSU returns home to host Montevallo Thursday at 6 p.m. at The Complex.  Check back with vstateblazers.com for links to live stats, audio/video streaming, ticket information and more.  The game also will be broadcast on 92.1 WDDQ with Mike Chason having the call.