VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State Lady Blazers’ offense came to life in the second half and the defense helped hold Eckerd to 36 percent shooting, as VSU improved to 2-1 with a 59-50 win over the Tritons on Saturday night at The Complex.
Leading 25-24 at the half, the Lady Blazers went on a 16-7 run over the first 10:26 of the second half to build a lead the Tritons couldn’t overcome.
VSU shot 46 percent in the second half and was able to wear down an Eckerd team that only used eight players.
Lady Blazers head coach Kiley Hill said he was happy with the team’s ability to get good looks in the paint in the second half.
“I think that our efforts were tremendous,” Hill said.
Sierra Nixon registered her first double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and bringing in 12 rebounds.
The 6-foot-2 power forward from Louisiana Tech struggled in her first two games on both ends of the floor, but seemed more comfortable in her third game with the Lady Blazers.
“She’s getting better,” Hill said. “She’s starting to understand what we’re trying to accomplish, doing what we ask her to do and understanding her role ... I think when she steps on the floor she knows one thing and that’s get the basketball and do something with it.”
Tamika Booker scored 10 points, including a layup with under two minutes to go that gave VSU a 53-47 lead and ended Eckerd’s hopes of a comeback.
Booker also grabbed eight rebounds.
The Lady Blazers scored 28 points in the paint and got 24 points from their bench, while the Lady Tritons only got six points from their bench.
“I’m trying to find a rotation,” Hill said. “Some people stepped up who have not been stepping up, and some people did some positive things across the board.”
Brittany Daniels led the Lady Blazers off the bench with nine points and seven rebounds.
Courtney Mitchell scored six points and hauled in four rebounds.
The first half was rough for both teams offensively, but the Lady Blazers and Lady Tritons played an entertaining first 20 minutes. There were four ties and nine lead changes.
VSU took the lead for good when Nixon hit a jumper early in the first half to make it 31-29. The Lady Blazers took their biggest lead when Nixon made a tip-in to put VSU up 41-33 with 9:34 left in the game.
The Lady Blazers will try to extend their winning streak to three games when they play at Nova Southeastern on Tuesday.
Local Sports
Big second half propels Lady Blazers to win
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