LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Leading 42-41 through three quarters, the visiting Valdosta State women's basketball tem outscored West Alabama 20-11 in the final frame for a 62-52 win in a crucial victory in the regular season road finale Saturday.  

VSU senior Shon Kitchens had a game-high 18 points off the bench on 7 of 11 from the field, while going 2 of 4 from range and 2 of 3 from the line.  Senior Sonya Franklin added 11 points, while sophomore Kayla Bonilla had a career-high 13 rebounds to go along with six points.

The Lady Blazers (18-9, 12-7 GSC) shot 24 of 59 from the field for 40.7 percent for the game and went 13 of 27 from the floor in the second half.  VSU was just 4 of 17 from beyond the arc for the game and 10 of 19 from the line.  Despite the struggles from deep and at the charity stripe, VSU tallied 44 rebounds and 16 on the offensive end. 

UWA (11-16, 8-11 GSC) shot 18 of 46 from the field for 39.1 percent, while going 6 of 17 from beyond the arc and 10 of 17 from the line.  J'Nyiah Daniels has 17 points off the bench for the Tigers on 5 of 10 from the field with two triples and 5 of 6 from the line as the lone player in double figures. 

With the win, VSU still has a chance of hosting a home game for the quarterfinal round of the upcoming Gulf South Conference Tournament, on Mar. 5.  Check back with vstateblazers.com for updates on the conference tournament in the coming days.  

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half as neither team was able to find much traction through the first quarter.  UWA held a 13-7 lead, but the Lady Blazers came roaring back, outscoring UWA 7-0 over the final 3:32 for a 14-13 lead through one frame. Franklin hit a bucket in the waning seconds for a 14-13 lead and the first of the game for the Lady Blazers.

The Tigers quickly regained the lead early in the second, but Kitchens ended a 2:30 scoring drought for VSU with a bucket and pulled VSU within 18-17 with 4:48 left in the half. 

VSU regained the lead off a steal and score for a 19-17 lead as UWA went ice cold as the Lady Blazers used another 7-0 run for a 26-18 lead.  Two late free throws and a bucket at the buzzer ended the drought for the Tigers as UWA had one just one field goal of the final seven minutes of the half with VSU leading 26-22 at intermission.

For the half, VSU shot 11 of 32 from the field, while UWA was 8 of 25.  The strong VSU "D" held UWA to just 3 of 15 shooting after the Tigers began the game 5 of 10.  The Lady Blazers were 2 of 10 from beyond the arc and 2 of 6 from the line, while UWA as 3 of 10 from range and 3 of 4 from the line. 

VSU dominated the glass to the tune of 27-14 and 11-2 on the offensive end, but was unable to get more separation on the second chances.  Kitchens paced the Lady Blazers with 10 points, while Bonilla had six rebounds.  

Late in the third, UWA made five of its last seven field goals and took a 41-38 lead, but the Lady Blazers came right back with a layup from sophomore Germini Abram for a 41-40 deficit in the final minute of the frame.  Both teams traded the lead multiple times throughout the third quarter.  

Following two free throw misses by the Tigers, Bonilla grabbed her tenth rebound and Kitchens scored at the buzzer putting VSU back in front 42-41 through three quarters.  

A big 3-pointer from Bonilla gave VSU a 49-45 lead and VSU stretched the lead to 53-47 with 5:01 left.  UWA pulled within 53-50 with just over four minutes left.  Franklin answered with a three for a 56-50 lead with 3:06 remaining.

Bonilla hit one of two free throws with 39 seconds left for a 59-52 lead.  Two more free throws from Kitchens swelled the lead to 61-52 with 19 seconds remaining.  

The Lady Blazers return home to host the regular season finale Thursday at 6 p.m. against Auburn Montgomery at The Complex.  It also is Senior Night for VSU.