BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Valdosta State Lady Blazers (2-2) fell on the road at Lynn University Fighting Knights (4-1) by a score of 76-65 Tuesday afternoon.
VSU ran out to a 4-0 advantage thanks to a jumper from senior Aryana Hicks and a layup from sophomore Ka'Miah Pryor. Hicks heated up early with a steal, layup, and three-point jumper in quick succession. Lady Blazer sophomore Amaya Broadus added a layup, while LU's Hannah Wentworth gave Lynn its first advantage at 12-11 with a three-point field goal. Lynn would storm ahead 18-11 behind consistent shooting at the charity stripe and several layups. Junior Alina Sapilak notched the final Blazer score of the period with a triple, 23-14 Fighting Knights after one frame.
Broadus and freshman Rebecca Souverain scored the first two Blazer buckets of the second quarter. Lynn continued building its lead with two quick triples from Wentworth and Trinity Mocadlo along with more free throws. The Fighting Knights went on a 9-0 run to a 35-18 lead, finally broken up by a free throw from freshman Kaci Demps. Danigzy Mantilla hit another Fighting Knight three in a period that turned disastrous for the Lady Blazers. Sophomore Alina Martin hit a three late in the period to stop the bleeding, but the damage was done, as Lynn led 44-22 at the break.
The second half opened as junior Erin Whalen drilled a mid-range jumper, while Hicks added another layup and sophomore Raeanne Eccleston connected with two free throws to trim the deficit to 51-28. Eccleston followed herself with a layup and Hicks added another three. Back-to-back buckets from freshman Chardae Rumph pulled the Lady Blazers within 56-39. Tessa O'Leary added an and-one layup to push Lynn ahead 59-39 entering the final period of action.
Hicks continued to be a bright spot on a down day for the offense, scoring the first five points of the final period. Lynn continued hitting their shots to add to its lead, but two free throws from Whalen and a three from Rumph cut the deficit to 70-49. The offense began to find its footing behind back-to-back buckets from Whalen. Demps hit a layup and a three in quick succession shrinking the deficit to 74-58.
Demps dropped a dime inside to Eccleston who finished the bucket and drew the foul. She then added a point of her own at the stripe to make it 76-62. The freshman stayed hot with a three for the final score, 76-65. The Blazers outscored the Fighting Knights 23-17 in the fourth quarter courtesy of the scoring surge, but the effort came too late to bring back the win.
Hicks was the most consistent performer on offense in the loss, dropping 17 points on 70% shooting. She added three steals and a pair of assists in her 23 minutes of action. Whalen led the team in both rebounds (6) and assists (5). Demps broke into double figures with a ten-point game, making both her attempts from three-point range.
Looking Forward
The Lady Blazers will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 29th at the Complex when they host No. 9 Embry-Riddle (4-0) at 2 p.m. ET.
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