VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State women's basketball team broke open a close game with a 33-9 second quarter en route to a 94-74 victory over Shorter Friday afternoon at The Complex.  The Lady Blazers improved to 15-6 overall and 7-6 in Gulf South Conference play.  VSU had balanced scoring with five players in double figures in the contest.
 
VSU will have a quick turnaround as it will host West Georgia at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon at The Complex.  The game will be broadcast on 92.1 WDDQ FM with Mike Chason having the call of the game.  
 
Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game on Saturday as it will mark VSU's annual "Play for Kay Day."  The event, spearheaded by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), is named in honor of legendary North Carolina State head coach Kay Yow, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987.  She passed away on January 24, 2009, after facing her third bout with the disease.  
  
The Kay Yow Fund, in partnership with the WBCA, at The V Foundation, is a charitable organization committed to being part of finding an answer in the fight against women's cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause.  The Lady Blazers have partnered with Southern OB/GYN, who will provide 100 pink t-shirts for fans at Saturday's game to help promote the initiative.  Donations can be made to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund online at www.kayyow.com.  There will be additional information on how to donate at the game on Saturday.
 
The Hawks (1-18, 1-13 GSC) stayed close in the first half, but the Lady Blazers exploded in the second quarter as they shot 12 of 15 from the field, 3 of 4 from range and 6 of 8 from the line in the frame.  The Lady Blazers shot 60 percent from the field in the first half on 19 of 29 from the floor, 5 of 11 from range and 10 of 15 from the line.  VSU posted a season-high 33 points in the frame, for a 53-26 lead at halftime. 
 
Shorter had a game-high 29 points from Jasmine Gaines as she was 9 of 17 from the field, while going 11 of 12 from the line and pulled down ten rebounds.  The Hawks opened the game going 7 of 18 from the field, 2 of 8 from range and 1 of 2 from the line in the first quarter, but went just 2 of 11 from the field and 5 of 6 from the line in the second quarter.  Tatum Ragsdale had 16 points with five treys and Mekala Fuller also scored 16 points.  Shorter went 25 of 62 from the field for the game, 8 of 23 from range and 16 of 21 from the line.  SU outscored the Lady Blazers in the second half, 48-41.  
 
Balanced scoring for the Lady Blazers was the theme of the game as senior Cheray Saunders had a team-high 16 points on 4 of 6 from the field as she was 8 of 8 from the line, while senior Nari Garner added 13 points and sophomore Kayla Frey chipped in 13 points off the bench.  Junior Delaney Bernard and sophomore Abby Rouse each added 12 points. 
 
The Lady Blazers shot 31 of 61 from the field, while draining 11 triples and went 21 of 28 from the line.  VSU held a 45-29 lead in rebounding and a 19-6 advantage in second chance points.