VALDOSTA – The Valdosta State women’s basketball team fell victim to the sharp shooting of the No. 11 ranked Union Lady Bulldogs in a 74-51 loss in Gulf South Conference action on Thursday night at The Complex in Valdosta, Ga.

The loss dropped the Lady Blazers to 11-12 overall and 7-11 in GSC play, while the Lady Bulldogs improved their league leading record to 22-2 overall and 16-2 in conference play.

Union took control of the contest early with 26 points in the first quarter against just 11 for the Lady Blazers. Valdosta State outscored the Lady Bulldogs 13-12 in the second quarter, but entered halftime trailing by 14 at 38-24.

In the second half, Union used an impressive long range shooting effort to widen the gap, shooting 7-of-15 from the field for 46.7 percent. Chelsea Bodiford did most of the damage with three treys for a team leading nine points after the halftime break.

Despite 16 third quarter points for Valdosta State, the Lady Blazers were never able to string together a significant run and struggled offensively throughout the second half, shooting 6-of-24 from the field for 25.0 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from long distance.

Bodiford finished as the game’s leading scorer on the night, racking up 15 points on five three balls. Tiffany Rechis added to Union’s three point barrage with four threes of her own, which led to 14 points for the freshman.

For Valdosta State, Reshaundra Owens had a big night, particularly from the free throw line where she shot 8-of-12 en route to a team-high 12 points. Maggie Davis added 10 for Valdosta State, and Lydia Harvey tallied nine on two triples, and a traditional three point play after she was fouled on a layup and added a free throw.

Valdosta State returns to action against Christian Brothers for Senior Day this weekend, which will also serve as Hall of Fame weekend at VSU. Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at The Complex.

VStateBlazers.com