VALDOSTA —
The Lady Blazers needed that one. After losing five of its last six games, the Valdosta State women’s basketball team nearly gave one away, but pulled it out in the end.
After blowing an 18-point first-half lead, the Lady Blazers used a go-ahead 3-pointer from senior Brittany Nelson with 45 seconds remaining and then used suffocating defense inside the final five seconds to earn a 57-56 win over rival North Alabama, the conference’s best tournament-eligible team.
The win was VSU’s first since Jan. 19 and ended a three-game home losing streak.
“The power of hope is always there,” Valdosta State head coach Kiley Hill said. “We hung around just long enough today. I was proud of our kids because we adjusted some things offensively. We got into a rhythm, found some rhythm shots, found a groove and we made some defensive stops when we had to.”
After North Alabama used a 29-11 run to erase VSU’s 18-point lead, knotting the game even at 46-46 midway through the second half, the game remained close and the team’s swapped the lead several times.
Then, with the game tied at 54-54, Nelson found her form and drained the go-ahead 3-pointer with 45.6 seconds remaining.
North Alabama responded with a two-pointer down the lane, cutting the score to 57-56. VSU nearly turned the ball over on its following possession, but drew a foul and sent freshman Courtney Sprague to the free throw line.
Sprague missed and gave North Alabama a chance for one final bucket with 5.4 seconds left, but VSU’s defense proved to be too much.
“I was really proud of our kids’ attention to details, especially inside the last two minutes,” Hill said.
Off the Lady Lions’ inbounds pass, four Lady Blazers swarmed UNA point guard Lauren Faris, not allowing her to pass or shoot as time expired.
“I’m a compulsive film watcher,” Hill said. “We kind of knew what concept they’ve done in late game situations, so we tried to counter that with our defensive efforts and how we were going to guard it.”
Nelson led the Lady Blazers with 22 points, while Sprague finished with 14 points as VSU shot 43 percent from the floor on the night.
The Lady Blazers put together one of their best starts to a game they’ve had all season, connecting on seven of their first nine attempts from the floor to grab a 19-9 lead.
Nelson was a major contributor to the hot start. She made her first four field goal attempts to lead the Lady Blazers with 10 points.
“I was very pleased with their focus and how they executed,” Hill said. “We corrected shots and when shots weren’t going, we were aggressive with our attack for second and third chance opportunities.”
The hot shooting start didn’t last forever, though. After making 10 of their first 16 field goals, the Lady Blazers cooled off and only made 3 of their final 13 attempts in the half.
Along with the team, Nelson also cooled off in the remaining first half minutes. After her 4 for 4 start, she missed six of her next seven attempts.
The Lady Blazers’ lead got to as many as 18 points in the first half, coming with 1:18 remaining.
After a UNA free throw, sloppy ball handling by the Lady Blazers allowed the Lady Lions to get a quick three-pointer in transition to close within 14 at half.
UNA’s run continued into the second half when it used a 25-11 run to even the score at 46-46.
VSU visits Alabama-Huntsville Thursday night in Huntsville, Ala.
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times VSU’s Kourtnee Williams looks to pass the ball, while North Alabama’s Joidon Jennings applies defensive pressure. The Lady Blazers beat the Lady Lions 57-56.
Discussion
Lady Blazers edge UNA, 57-56
- Local Sports
-
-
Georgia Sparks win championship in Orlando
The Georgia Sparks Basketball Teams traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in Spring Fling 2 Super Region Tournament which took place at Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. This was a busy weekend for the Sparks as they had three teams and over 30 parents.
-
52nd Annual Valdosta Open tees off
The Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta and the Valdosta Country Club are hosting the 52nd annual Valdosta Open June 29-30.
-
GSC Awards Ceremony
The Gulf South Conference is proud to announce its 17th annual GSC “Top Ten” Award winners.
-
Georgia Sparks win championship in Orlando
The Georgia Sparks Basketball Teams traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in Spring Fling 2 Super Region Tournament which took place at Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. This was a busy weekend for the Sparks which brought three teams and over 30 parents.
-
Manu Ginobili sparks Spurs to Game 5 win
Manu Ginobili ran onto the floor as fans stood and screamed.
He went to the bench, and they chanted his name.
The sights and sounds of so many San Antonio spring nights were back Sunday night — and the real party might be just a few days away.
Ginobili broke out of a slump in a big way with 24 points and 10 assists in his first start of the season, and the Spurs beat the Miami Heat 114-104 to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals. -
2013 South Georgia Diamond Brawl
The Lowndes Vikings baseball team is set to host the 16th Annual South Georgia Diamond Brawl, featuring 19 teams playing 28 games across four fields.
-
Jaguars Caravan 2013
The Jackonsivlle Jaguars’ caravan made a stop at the Valdosta Mall Saturday for their second visit in as many years.
-
Stormy weather halts play during US Open 1st round
Phil Mickelson rolled a birdie attempt 8 feet past the hole at No. 11. Steve Stricker did the same at No. 12. Bogey. Bogey.
And that wasn’t even the stormy part. -
Blackhawks beat Bruins 4-3 in 3OT Cup opener
The Chicago Blackhawks know all about Andrew Shaw’s reputation around the league. They also know the pesky little forward is so much more than just another irritant for opposing players.
-
Valdosta’s Eldridge inducted to Georgia Golf Hall of Fame
Frank Eldridge has been playing golf so long that he has spent nearly his whole life with a club in his hand.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
