The defense forced 30 turnovers and scored 31 points off the Alabama-Huntsville miscues. Strong team defense held UAH’s high scorer, Ashley Boykin, without a field goal until five minutes into the second half.

The Lady Chargers jumped out to a 5-0 lead to start the game, but the Lady Blazers roared back with nine unanswered points to force a timeout from Alabama-Huntsville. Thompson started things off for VSU with a three-point play. After a UAH timeout, Sczeny Hartry scored another two points to stretch the Valdosta State lead to 11-5 with 12:22 left in the first frame. From there, the Lady Blazers maintained a 10-point lead throughout the half and finished the first half ahead, 28-18.

The Lady Blazers played strong defense throughout the first half, forcing 17 UAH turnovers and stealing the ball 11 times. VSU held the Chargers to just 25 percent from the field, while VSU shot 38.7 in the first half.

For much of the early second half, VSU continued to maintain the team’s 10-point lead. Then Valdosta State went on a 9-0 run to push the lead to 45-26, until UAH’s Brittany Lovett scored to stop the VSU onslaught.

Alabama-Huntsville caught fire behind two baskets from Boykin and a free throw, but it wasn’t enough, as the Lady Blazers stayed in control to win, 59-48.