Box Score VALDOSTA, Ga. –The Valdosta State University Lady Blazers outscored the Delta State University Lady Statesmen basketball team 23-18 in the first half and held on for a 50-42 win at The Complex on Thursday.
 
VSU (10-2, 1-0) defeated the Lady Statesmen (6-4,  0-1) for only the fifth time in 30 tries in what was the Gulf South Conference opener for both teams.
 
The Lady Blazers took advantage of 12 first half points from Brittney Nelson, as neither team shot well from the floor. VSU finished 9-of-26 (34.6), and held DSU to only 6-of-21 (28.6) in the opening half.
 
Rhandi Ball had six points to lead DSU in the first 20 minutes.
 
The Lady Statesmen tied the game at 27-27 with 13:06 remaining, but it did not get closer, as VSU responded with a 9-2 run over the next six minutes.
 
DSU fared much better from the floor in the second half, going 9-of-18, but committed 11 turnovers. VSU was nearly identical to its first half percentage, at 9-of-25 (36.0).
 
Veronica Walker scored 12 second half points to finish with a game high 17. The Indianola Gentry HS product was the only DSU player in double figures. Brittany Ferguson finished with a double-double, scoring 12 points to go along with 10 rebounds.
 
Nelson finished with a team high 15 for VSU.
 
The Lady Statesmen will wrap up the two game road trip on Sat. January 7 in Pensacola, Fla., in a contest with West Florida. Tip off is set for 2 p.m.