VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Delta State University women's basketball team staged another furious comeback in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell just short in a 53-50 loss to the Valdosta State Lady Blazers on the road. 
 
Inside the Matchup:
 
    Score: Valdosta State 53 | Delta State 50
    Records:  Lady Blazers (10-6, 7-3 GSC) | Lady Statesmen (7-8, 4-6 GSC)
    Series: DSU leads series 38-6
    Location: The Complex | Valdosta, Ga.

How It Happened:

• In the first three minutes of play, Valdosta State shot 3-for-5 and held a 7-4 lead over the Lady Statesmen, who were only shooting 2-for-6.
• Delta State continued to struggle throughout the first quarter, only scoring five points with a three-pointer from Alondrea Rush and a pair of free throws by Alexis Ross, but VSU closed out with a 16-9 lead.
• Both sides were back-and-forth for the majority of the second quarter, Aaliyah Cheatham opened scoring with a free throw, but Tori Mallory answered with a layup making the score 11-17 with 8:13 left in the first half.
• VSU closed out the half on a 7-5 run and went into the locker room with a 33-23 lead, while finishing the half just 12-of-27 (44 percent) from the floor. DSU was 9-of-29 (31 percent) and 3-for-5 from long-range.
• The Lady Statesmen out-rebounded the Lady Blazers, but VSU scored 12 points off 11 Delta State miscues. VSU stole the ball 10 times in 20 minutes.
• Rush led DSU with 11 points, shooting 50 percent from the field. Kenya Samone' Dixon led the Lady Blazers with eight first half points.
• It was a slow start in the third quarter, the Lady Statesmen only grabbed three baskets in the first five minutes, while Valdosta State only shot 3-for-7 but maintained a 39-29 lead.
• DSU held the hosts scoreless for over two minutes early in the third quarter.
• VSU ended the third quarter on a 5-0 run with a layup by Madi Mitchell and three pointer from Dixon to keep the 44-31 lead.
• Delta State opened the final stanza on a 9-0 run, closing the gap to four points with 6:01 left in the game.
• The Lady Statesmen also held VSU without a shot for the first five minutes of the fourth quarter.
• The Lady Blazers answered with a Jazmyn McIntosh layup, but DSU came back with a free throw, layup and jumper to close the margin to one point at the 3:12 mark.
• In the final two minutes, VSU extended its lead to three points until the 18 second mark when Rush hit a layup to bring the game back to one point.
• The Lady Blazers hit the final two free throws and held on for the 53-50 victory.
• VSU finished 19-of-47 (40 percent), while the Lady Statesmen were 20-of-57 (35 percent). DSU was 5-of-12 from long-range. The Lady Blazers were just 4-of-12. DSU outrebounded VSU by a slim margin of 35-34, but forced 21 turnovers, while committing 19.
• Madi Mitchell led Valdosta State with 13 points. Rush finished with 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting and 5-10 from long range. Kneeland and Mays added eight apiece, while Jackson had four. Mays had eight boards and Kneeland and Rush put up five boards a piece.

 
Notables:          

• Rush's 23 points marks a career high and her first 20 point game of the year. Rush also has scored in double-figures for the 11th time this season.

 
Who's Next:

• The Lady Statesmen travel to Pensacola, Fla. to square off against West Florida on Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. to close out the first round of Gulf South Conference play.