ROME, Ga. – Valdosta State's balanced attack on offensive paired with Shorter's ball security issues did not bode well for the Hawks Monday night, falling to the Blazers, 81-52.  

Freshman guard, Holley Turner was the silver lining for Monday night's loss. After averaging less than a basket-made per game, the Powder Springs native smashed her career high in points (previously was 3 against GCSU) with 17 off the bench. What makes her night even more impressive? Her 19 floor minutes all came in the second half, meaning Turner scored 17 of the team's 30 points after the intermission. The only other Hawk in double figures was Tiara Lewis who now has four straight games scoring 10 or more points.  

The Blazers trailed for all of two minutes in the contest and had five scorers in double figures. The threes came early and often with VSU knocking down 5-of-12 attempts in the first half. Compare that to Shorter's one three-pointer made in the first half, and you can see where the Blazers' 21-point lead at the break emanated. The Hawks turned the ball over 19 times, 7 of which came in the first quarter alone. To call a spade a spade, VSU went 28-of-57 (49.1%) from the floor and converted 16-of-18 (88.9%) chances at the foul stripe. So, they shot more than well enough to win a road game in the GSC. Shorter also managed to hold their leading scorer, Lili Long, to just five points in the contest.  

LaSheena Brooks' group gets another opportunity to win their first conference game this upcoming Friday on the road at Montevallo. Tip is set for 5:30pm CST on FloHoops.