VALDOSTA — The Valdosta State Lady Blazers came back to the basketball court with little signs of rust Saturday, playing their first game since facing Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 21.

Despite having six days off for the holidays, VSU looked sharp, defeating Paine 74-45.

The Lady Blazers needed to look sharp coming back, and playing the first of their final two games of the season before Gulf South Conference play begins Jan. 9 against West Georgia.

“(Coach Kiley Hill) talked to us when we first got back, and said we need to go into conference play 10-4, and that’s what we’re looking to do,” junior Khaleh Thomas said. “We came out real strong against a pretty good team.”

The Lady Blazers (9-4) opened up the game strong, jumping out to an 11-6 lead against the Lady Lions (3-5).

With fresh legs, the Lady Blazers’ shots were falling with ease, as they connected on 59 percent of their field goals and 61.5 percent of their three-point baskets in the first half.

VSU finished the game shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 47 percent from long range.

“It was our execution,” Thomas said. “We always try to get shots we practice. We got a lot of two-footers and Janelle Collazo, Michelle Thompson and Carley Peterson got hot from the three-point line.”

Peterson made 5-of-8 from the three-point line and led all scorers with 17 points. Thomas and Collazo joined Peterson as double-figure scorers for the Blazers, tallying 12 and 10 points, respectively.

“They’re tremendous kids who are juniors, but have minutes of seniors,” Hill said. “And really, over the last two weeks, have stepped up for us and made us a good basketball team.

“As they go, we go, and hopefully we continue to get better.”

The Lady Blazers controlled the first half, leading 47-26 heading into the locker room.

VSU held the Lady Lions to 37 percent shooting in the first half, while shooting 59 percent itself. The difference was the Lady Blazers’ transition game, which stopped Paine College and moved the ball to allow easy baskets for VSU.

“That’s one thing we really tried to focus on coming back,” Hill said. “We’re really trying to get our conditioning back after the six-day layoff. That was really one of our focus points in practice.”

The Lady Blazers’ transition game carried over into the second half.

VSU’s defense also stepped up, holding Paine College to 26.1 percent from the field in the second half, and the Lady Blazers moved the ball well all game, recording 17 assists.

“We were a very good second half basketball team,” Hill said.

While the Blazers dominated against the Lady Lions, Hill said there are still areas that need improving heading into the final game before the GSC season starts.

“I think right now we have to refine our possessions,” Hill said. “I think offensively we have to continue to make the easy shots. The first part of the basketball game we didn’t make the easy shots, and I think that’s the biggest thing.

“This time of year, it’s about rhythm and timing, and just staying healthy.”

The Lady Blazers return to The Complex for their next game, as they host Webber at 5 p.m. Tuesday.