LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The Lady Blazer basketball team put up a tremendous fourth quarter defensive effort against West Alabama, but the Tigers held off a Valdosta State comeback attempt in the late minutes to claim a 63-55 victory in Gulf South Conference action on Thursday night in Livingston, Ala.
Valdosta State’s road woes continued, as the Lady Blazers fell for the eighth time this season away from The Complex and saw their overall record fall to 11-14 on the season and 7-13 in GSC play. Meanwhile, the Tigers played the role of a spoiler, improving their record to 9-15 overall and 6-14 in conference play while putting a dent in the Lady Blazers’ attempt to earn a playoff spot late in the season.
The Lady Blazers trailed throughout the entirety of the contest as a result of missed opportunities from close range and an inability to contain UWA forward Catherine Taylor, who scored 22 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line.
In what looked like a potential runaway victory for the Tigers, the Lady Blazers put up a gutsy defensive effort in the fourth quarter and nearly overcame a 16 point deficit. Madi Mitchell and Lydia Harvey teamed up to score five points each and lead VSU to a 10-0 run during the first half of the final period, but Ariel Wilson snapped the run with two of her 17 points. Each team scored 14 points from that moment forward, which resulted in the 63-55 final.
Aaliyah Cheatham once again led the way offensively for Head Coach Kiley Hill’s squad with 19 points on the night. Cheatham shot 8-of-17 from the field and 2-of-6 from beyond the arc. Mitchell chipped in with 17 points and Maddy Corazza pulled down the most rebounds with six on the defensive end and two offensive boards.
Fighting for one of the eight spots available in the upcoming GSC Tournament, the Lady Blazers will try and keep their playoff hopes alive on the road this Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. EST matchup against the rival Wolves of West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga. Live coverage of the game will be available at www.vstateblazers.com.
