VALDOSTA, Ga. – Coming off a thrilling 82-69, come-from-behind victory over rival West Georgia in the 2020-21 season opener Saturday, the Valdosta State women's basketball team heads on the road Wednesday for a 7 p.m. ET tip at Montevallo.  The Lady Blazers then return home to host No. 21 Lee Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. to close out 2020 portion of the schedule.
 
The Lady Blazers (1-0, 1-0 GSC) trailed by as many as 11 on Saturday at West Georgia, but thanks to a blistering third quarter, VSU outscored UWG 49-26 in the second half and 34-12 in the third quarter for the victory.  Lady Blazer newcomer Kwajelin Farrar had a game-high 23 points and 11 rebounds on 11 of 13 from the field with three assists and two steals, while newcomer Jirah Ards chipped in 11 points and nine rebounds.  Freshman Alexandria Smith added 11 points in her first collegiate start, while senior Kayla Bonilla added 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.  VSU forced UWG into 17 turnovers and led 25-8 in points off turnovers in the game, while posting 15 offensive rebounds for a 19-9 lead in second chance points.  VSU shot 17 of 39 from the field for the second half in the comeback, while going 6 of 16 from range and 9 of 13 from the line for the half.
 
Montevallo (0-1, 0-1 GSC) dropped a hard-fought 77-72 decision to West Georgia last Wednesday and has not played since. The Falcons started the game against UWG in dominant fashion, scoring the first 18 points of the game and held a 24-13 lead through the first frame.  The Wolves roared back for a 24-13 second quarter and a 37-37 tie at halftime.  UWG used a 22-9 third quarter for a big lead, but the Falcons responded late and trailed by three with 35 seconds left, but was unable to get any closer.  Jordan Jones led the Falcons with 17 points, while Savannah Lee added 12 points.  Turnovers proved costly for the UM as 23 miscues led to a 28-15 lead in points off turnovers for the Wolves. 
 
Fans can access links to live stats, audio/video streaming, ticket information and more at vstateblazers.com on the women's basketball schedule page.  Spencer Van Horn will have the coverage of the game on WJEM 94.3 FM Fox Sports Radio Valdosta and online at foxsportsvaldosta.com.  Saturday's game will be on the same radio station with Mike Chason having the call. 
 
Farrar was named GSC East Division Player of the Week honors on Tuesday for her efforts in the win over West Georgia on Saturday.  She, along with Shorter Freshman Julia Peroni were honored from the East Division, while Jaelencia Williams of Union and Emily Jones of Christian Brothers were named West Division Player and Freshman of the Week, respectively.
 
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be limited occupancy for home games and face coverings will be required at all times for all guests over the age of two (2) at The Complex this season.
 
For the 2020-21 academic year, the GSC will utilize divisional play in basketball. The schedule will feature a combination of single game matchups and two-game series against the same opponents on consecutive days at the same location. The format is intended to streamline COVID-19 Pandemic testing protocols and reduce travel costs.
 
Additionally, the conference will implement a mirrored schedule, with the men and women playing at opposite sites, eliminating all doubleheaders.
 
With no change to the schedule for NCAA Regionals, the GSC Basketball Championships will keep their dates, with the quarterfinals set to begin on March 2, 2021. More information on those tournaments will be released closer to that time.
 
Due to the pandemic, there will be no paper programs at home games this season for the Lady Blazers.  Please click on the link to the right of this story and each home game preview throughout the season.  There also will be sheets at the entrances of the P.E. Complex each gameday with the QR code for the game program. 
 
The Lady Blazers and Falcons split the two meetings last year with both winning on their home court.  VSU won 97-87 in Valdosta, while UM won 90-67.  VSU has won five of the six previous meetings in the series.  In the win last season, Bonilla was one of two Lady Blazers scoring 20 or more points with 21 in the game and a perfect 9 of 9 from the line.  Five Lady Blazers were in double figures in the game.  VSU used a strong third quarter (29-17) after the teams were tied at halftime 38-38.  VSU shot 52.6 percent for the game and went 28 of 32 from the line, while UM was just 14 of 16 from the stripe and 31 of 72 from the field. 
 
Montevallo was picked second in the Preseason Gulf South Conference Poll, behind Lee, while VSU was picked fourth.  Bonilla was named to the Preseason All-GSC Team, along with Lee's Haley Schubert. 
 
Lee had its first game of the season on Monday downing West Florida 80-58 and will travel to Shorter for a Wednesday matchup before heading to VSU for Saturday's game.  VSU will be Lee's third opponent in five days.  Against UWF, the Flames raced out to a 23-10 lead through the first quarter and a 52-24 lead at intermission for the big win. Schubert had 22 points on 9 of 11 from the field for the game leading three players in double figures.  The Flames shot 30 of 61 from the field and 11 of 24 from range for the game.  Lee held UWF to just 19 of 62 from the field and 5 of 24 from beyond the arc in the game and forced 19 turnovers by the Argos.
 
Last season, VSU posted a thrilling 74-68 victory in The Complex over Lee, who was ranked No. 5 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 Poll.  Bonilla paced the Lady Blazers with 21 points.  VSU held Lee to just 23 of 62 shooting (.371) and 8 of 21 from beyond the arc, while forcing 18 miscues by the Flames.  Schubert had 21 points for the Flames in the game.  The win snapped a two-game skid for the Lady Blazers in the series as VSU has won eight of the past 15 meetings, including six of the last nine.

VSU returns to action in the New Year on Jan. 2-3, at The Complex versus Auburn Montgomery.  The January 2^nd game is set for 7 p.m., while the January 3^rd game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tip.