VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State women's basketball team returns home to host No. 21 Lee Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at The Complex for the final game of 2020.  VSU and Lee both are 2-0 on the year.
 
The Lady Blazers edged Montevallo on the road Wednesday evening as they hung on for a 62-61 victory.  VSU led by as many as 14 points in the game and 11 points heading into the fourth quarter as Montevallo staged a furious final frame rally, outscoring VSU 25-15 for the frame.  The Falcons tied the game at 60, but sophomore Jirah Ards broke the tie with a bucket with ten seconds left. A foul on VSU at the buzzer gave Montevallo a shot at the tie with two tosses, but came up short on the second one for the final margin. 
 
VSU was led by 18 points from senior Kayla Bonilla as she was named the Guardian Bank Blazer Player of the Game. Bonilla went 6 of 10 from the field, one of two from range and 5 of 7 from the line in the win as the only Lady Blazer in double figures.  VSU shot 34.4 percent for the game as both UM and the Lady Blazers had the same number of field goals made, 3's made and within one on free throws made, marking for a very even matchup on Wednesday. 
 
VSU was picked fourth in the East Division preseason poll by the Gulf South Conference coaches.  Montevallo was picked second, while West Georgia, who VSU beat on Saturday, was third.  This Saturday's foe Lee was picked to win the division, while Bonilla and Lee's Haley Schubert were named to the Preseason All-GSC Team. 
 
Fans can access links to live stats, audio/video streaming, ticket information and more at vstateblazers.com on the women's basketball schedule page.  Mike Chason will have the coverage of the game on WJEM 94.3 FM Fox Sports Radio Valdosta and online at foxsportsvaldosta.com. 
 
Farrar was named GSC East Division Player of the Week honors on Tuesday for her efforts in the win over West Georgia on Saturday, recording 23 points and 11 rebounds in the 82-69 victory.  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. 
 
Lee had its first game of the season on Monday downing West Florida 80-58 and won 72-53 at Shorter on Wednesday.  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.  Lee used a 24-6 third quarter to take a 56-28 lead at Shorter and settled for the 19-point victory.  Against the Hawks, Julia Duncan and Schubert each had 16 points to lead the team.
 
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.

Following Saturday's game, 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.