Russellville, ARK— After leading by 13 points at halftime, the VSU Lady Blazers found themselves down by one point with 18 seconds to play to Fort Valley State University, however Amanda Haven hit the game winning shot with 6.7 seconds to play as the Lady Blazers took the round one win over the third seeded Lady Wildcats, 50-49.
“I am just glad that the basketball gods were smiling at us tonight,” VSU head coach Kiley Hill said after the game. “We played so well in spirits but over the course of the game we became complacent.”
It was a set of Takesha Riggs free throws with1:55 to play that gave Fort Valley State their first lead of the game.
VSU regained the lead back, 48-47, after two Tamika Booker free throws. The Lady Wildcats took the lead right back with another Riggs field goal until the Haven go ahead field goal with 6.7 seconds to play.
“Amanda Haven came up big,” Hill said. “She knocked down a big shot.”
The Lady Blazers jumped out to a quick 12-4 lead as VSU connected on four straight 3-pointers to start the game.
After exchanging a few baskets with the Lady Wildcats, VSU managed a quick 4-0 run that gave the Lady Blazers a 16-8 lead.
The Lady Blazers ended the first half on a commanding 16-7 run in which FVSU failed to score a single field goal as VSU held a 28-15 halftime lead.
VSU shot 40.7 percent in the opening half as the Lady Wildcats shot a season low 18 percent as VSU connected on 6-12 from 3-point range.
Michelle Thompson led all first half scorers with nine points, after failing to score in the loss to Delta State in the GSC tournament.
Both teams committed 10 turnovers in the opening half; however FVSU connected on just 1-6 from the charity stripe.
The Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State began the second half with a 16-7 run that brought the VSU lead to just six points. A Sczeny Hartry two pointer ended the FVSU run.
The Lady Wildcats outscored VSU 34-22 in the second half as Takesha Riggs recorded nine of her 13 points as she and Yakeesha Jones led Fort Valley State in points on the night.
Michelle Thompson finished the game with 12 points as Tamika Booker added 11. Amanda Haven finished with just four points.
Sierra Nixon led VSU with nine rebounds as Leschelle “Poochie” Matthews led VSU with seven assists.
With the win the Lady Blazers will face Delta State University, who the Lady Blazers have already fallen to twice this season and once in the GSC tournament, on Sunday afternoon. The game can be heard on Talk921.com and can be read about online at VSUspectator.com.