VALDOSTA, Ga. – Behind a 10-2 start to the second half, the Valdosta State women's basketball team posted a 68-58 win over visiting West Florida Thursday evening at The Complex. VSU had four players in double figures led by a game-high 19 points from senior Sonya Franklin, while senior Crystal Townsend had a game-high 13 rebounds.
VSU improved to 9-4 overall and 3-2 in Gulf South Conference play to begin the 2019 portion of the schedule, as UWF fell to 9-3 on the year and 3-2 in league play. Franklin went 7 of 15 from the field with one triple and 4 of 4 from the line, while senior Maddy Corazza added 16 points off the bench on 7 of 11 from the field with two triples. Sophomore Kayla Bonilla chipped in 12 points and had five steals to lead the team, while junior Nari Garner had 11 points off the bench. Townsend had eight points and 13 boards, while going 6 of 10 from the charity stripe.
The Argos were led by a double-double from Toni Brewer with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while she had five assists and six of the Argos' 13 miscues. Brewer was 6 of 15 from the field and 3 of 5 from the line. Halee Nieman added 15 points off the bench on 7 of 13 from the field with a triple, while Danielle Norqest added 11 points off the bench.
VSU held the Argos to just 36.5 percent shooting on 23 of 63 and just 4 of 23 from beyond the arc, while UWF was 8 of 11 from the line. Conversely, VSU shot 41.8 percent on 23 of 55 and was 6 of 15 from range. The Lady Blazers had a huge advantage at the line, going 16 of 24.
The Lady Blazers led by as many as five through the first period for a 16-13 lead after one quarter. In the second, Norquest scored on a layup for the Argos first lead of the game at 19-18 with 6:38 left in the half.
Two charity tosses from Townsend gave the lead back to VSU as UWF would regain the advantage once more in the frame, but VSU would close the half on an 11-5 run for a 31-26 lead at intermission.
Just as in the game Sunday against Thomas University, the Lady Blazers used a strong start to the second half as they swelled the lead to 15 through the first 4:20 of the third capped on a triple from Garner for a 45-30 lead and a 14-4 run to start the frame. UWF cut the deficit back to single digits late in the quarter, but a layup from Franklin pushed the lead to ten at 53-43 with one quarter to play.
VSU increased the lead to 12 on three occasions in the final frame as UWF trimmed the deficit to under ten once again, but two charity tosses from Franklin pushed the margin back to ten at 68-58.
The Lady Blazers conclude the homestand Saturday at 2 p.m. at The Complex versus West Alabama. Fans can access links to live stats, audio/video streaming, ticket information and more at vstateblazers.com. The game also will be broadcast on 92.1 WDDQ FM with Mike Chason having the call.
