BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Valdosta State junior Kalifa Ford was named Gulf South Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week, the conference office announced.  This is Ford's first weekly honor of the season and the third for the Lady Blazer basketball team.  
 
Ford, a native of Bono, Ark., helped lead VSU to a 2-0 record on the road last week, including a huge upset victory at No. 4 Union.  She averaged 22 points and shot 55 percent from the field for the week.  Against Christian Brothers, Ford scored 20 points on 47 percent from the field with three rebounds, three assists and three steals. 
 
In the game against previously unbeaten Union, Ford finished a career-best 10 of 16 from the field (.625) and 4 of 5 from the line, while registering three assists and three steals against the Lady Bulldogs in the victory.  She now has scored in double figures in eight of the nine games she has played this season. 
 
The Lady Blazers are 9-2 overall and 6-1 in Gulf South Conference play with Ford leading the way averaging 14.8 points per game this season.  VSU returns to action to open the 2024 portion of the schedule on Jan. 2, at 6 p.m., at The Complex versus rival West Florida.