VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State women's basketball team started fast and posted a 77-51 victory over visiting Auburn Montgomery Saturday afternoon on Hall of Fame Weekend in Gulf South Conference play.
VSU (14-5, 6-5 GSC) had four players in double figures led by 19 points from junior
Kayla Bonilla and senior
Cheray Saunders, while junior
Delaney Bernard chipped in 13 points and freshman
Kendall Bollmer added 12 points off four treys. The Lady Blazers return to action on Feb. 1 at Montevallo at 2:30 p.m. ET.
The Lady Blazers shot a blistering 69.2 percent in the first quarter on 9 of 13 from the field, while draining five of eight triples and 3 of 3 free throws. VSU raced out to a 15-2 lead and never looked back as it outscored AUM 26-7 in the first frame.
The Lady Blazers kept up the pressure in the second quarter and held the Warhawks (10-9, 3-8 GSC) to just 6 of 24 from the field in the first half for 25 percent, while VSU shot 16 of 30 from the field, 9 of 15 from beyond the arc and 5 of 5 from the line. Bernard buried three triples in the first half to lead the team with 13 points, while Bollmer hit her four treys in the opening half.
Early in the third, VSU pushed the lead to a game-high 33 points at 54-21 with 6:50 left, capped on a layup from Saunders. VSU held a 60-32 lead through three frames as the Lady Blazers held AUM to just 2 of 12 from the field in the third quarter and 0 of 7 from range.
The Warhawks wouldn't give up, however, as AUM opened the fourth quarter on an 11-2 run for a 62-43 margin with 5:28 left, capped on a triple from Jordan Brewster. The Lady Blazers pushed the lead back to 20 and went on for the 77-51 victory.
AUM shot 29.2 percent for the game on 14 of 48, while going 5 of 21 from beyond the arc and 18 of 22 from the line. Caitlin Carter led the team with 16 points on 6 of 14 from the field with two treys.
VSU finished the game shooting 28 of 60 from the floor, while going 11 of 24 from deep and 10 of 11 from the line. The Lady Blazers held a 39-32 lead in rebounding, while forcing 17 miscues leading to a 22-7 lead in points off turnovers.
