VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State women's basketball team earned a gritty 79–76 overtime victory over West Florida on Saturday afternoon, improving to 10-10 overall and 7-7 in Gulf South Conference play. There was no quit from either side tonight in a physical battle of a basketball game that saw 56 total personal fouls, along with five technical fouls, divided amongst the two teams. VSU set the 2026 GSC women's basketball single-game high for fouls with 31, and UWF followed with the now second single-game high 30 fouls.
The Lady Blazers took a somewhat comfortable 35-21 lead into halftime, but UWF came out of the break firing on offense, cutting the deficit all the way to four points entering the final period. Avery O'Connor hit a clutch three-pointer with 18 seconds in regulation to even the score and send the game to overtime.
The extra period reflected the tone of the afternoon, with nine fouls assessed during the five minute overtime. Neither defense was willing to give an inch, but the Lady Blazers simply found ways to score, with all five field goals made in overtime coming from unique players. Sophomore Alina Martin cashed in on a go-ahead three-pointer with 12 seconds to play, only hours after she led off the Valdosta State Hall of Fame Ceremony with the night's invocation, to secure a 79-76 victory in a thrilling end to a historic weekend in TitleTown.
Freshman Chardae Rumph led the Lady Blazers with a personal career-high 20 points, knocking down six of her nine three-point attempts in the process. Sophomore Raeanne Eccleston posted a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while junior Erin Whalen added her own double-double with 13 points and 10 boards. Whalen also paced the team with three steals. Sophomore Alina Martin finished with 14 points, and sophomore Ka'Miah Pryor chipped in eight. Juniors Alina Sapilak and Jada Williams provided big minutes with physical defense off the bench, combining to add seven points, four rebounds, and three steals.
West Florida was paced by forward Avery O'Connor's floor stretching ability with 22 points including three three-pointers. Amelia Bell was a problem inside the paint all game, posting 19 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Isabel Grimes contributed 18 points.
Looking Forward
The Lady Blazers and the Complex in Valdosta, Ga. are set to host two more Gulf South Conference games this week. First, on Thursday, the Lady Blazers take on Lee (15-5, 11-4 GSC) at 6 p.m. before hosting Trevecca (13-7, 10-5 GSC) on Saturday at 2 p.m. Join us at the Complex on Thursday for Girls and Women in Sports Day and on Saturday for SGMC and Youth Day festivities!
Find live stats, written coverage, streaming links, and more on vstateblazers.com and follow @VState_Blazers as well as @VSULadyBlazers to stay up to date with the team as they fight through the core of GSC play.
