Bluma’s double-double propels Lady Blazers to win in home opener

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers finally got to play in front of the home crowd Tuesday afternoon as VU hosted Jefferson College from Hillsboro, Mo.

Vincennes set the tone early, jumping out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter on some timely shooting from sophomores Laila Grant (Derwood, Md.) and Anete Bluma (Saldus, Latvia).

The Trailblazers continued to cruise as they ended the first 10 minutes of play with a 27-16 lead on the scoreboard.

VU built on this lead in the second quarter and built their biggest lead of the half at 48-29 late in the second period.

The Lady Blazers held this lead heading into the halftime break, holding a 49-30 advantage at the break.

Jefferson College wouldn't go away quietly though, as the Vikings cut into the VU lead in the third quarter, before Anete Bluma completely took over, scoring eight straight points for the Blazers as VU got their lead back to 19 points.

The Lady Blazers headed in to the final 10 minutes of play holding a 66-48 lead.

The two teams traded scoring runs to begin the fourth quarter before the Vikings would cut the VU lead down to 15 points late in the fourth.

This comeback attempt fell short however as Jefferson ran out of time late and Vincennes captured their third win of the season with an 88-72 victory.

"The big thing tonight was we got everybody in the game," VU Hall of Fame head coach Harry Meeks said. "I think Bluma really shot the ball well, she did a really good job for us. I'm disappointed that we gave up so many points, but Jefferson's got some girls on that team that can shoot the ball also. I think as the team moves on it looks good for them, because Jefferson's got some good athletes on that team."

"As for us, as far as moving forward, I think this weekend we're going to have to find us a seven and eight player that can play. We're going to have to concentrate on that and really see what we can do against two ranked opponents," Meeks added. "I like this team. I think we're a young team and as the season moves on we'll play better and better."

Anete Bluma led the VU offense, finishing with a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double off the bench for the blue and gold. Bluma also ended with a team-high five assists.

"Until this evening, Bluma hasn't played well at all," Meeks said. "I think she got frustrated and is putting too much pressure on herself to be a good player. She is a good player and she needs to just relax and play."

"I told her that when I put her on the floor I could see every muscle in her body tense up and you can't be a good basketball player like that," Meeks added. "Fortunately for us, she came out relaxed, made her first two or three shots and played really well for us. She's a great team player, plays extremely hard, so it was nice to see her relax and have some success because we're going to need her."

Laila Grant reached double-figures again for Vincennes, ending with 12 points and six rebounds, while being active defensively to come away with three steals.

Freshman Cherrelle Newsom (Indianapolis, Ind.) was the third VU scorer to reach double-figures as the point guard ended with 11 points and three assists.

The Lady Blazers have a tough weekend ahead of them as they head to Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo. to take part in the Lady Raider Classic Friday, Nov. 12 and Saturday, Nov. 13.

VU will face-off against two Top-25 teams in this classic, first taking on host and No. 6-ranked Three Rivers College Friday at 8 p.m. eastern. Followed by facing No. 21-ranked Moberly Area Community College Saturday at 2 p.m. eastern.

"We need to play good defensively and we need to run our offense," Meeks said. "I like our team's experience that we keep building on. We can handle the ball, we can drive to the paint, it just depends on how well we shoot the ball."

"I know that both of those teams are waiting for us," Meeks added. "I'm looking forward to going over there and seeing what we need to work on, against some good basketball teams and we're going to give it our best shot this weekend."

VINCENNES (88): Candela Lascorz 0-0 0-1 0, Elena Aznar 4-6 0-0 8, Macy Michels 3-4 0-0 6, Cherrelle Newsom 4-8 0-0 11, Laila Grant 5-13 0-1 12, Trinitee Harris 4-7 0-0 8, Noni Russell 2-3 3-5 8, Chanice Willis 0-2 0-2 0, Day Thornton 1-5 1-2 3, Nina Blade 0-0 0-0 0, Guadalupe Lopez 2-8 0-0 4, Kylee Shelton 3-7 0-0 9, Cristina Requejo 0-1 0-0 0, Anete Bluma 8-11 1-2 20, Team 36-75 5-13 88.

Jefferson – 16  14  18  24 – 72

VU (3-0) – 27  22  17  22 – 88

Three-point goals: VU 11 (Newsom 3, Bluma 3, Shelton 3, Grant 2). Rebounds: VU 42 (Bluma 12). Assists: VU 22 (Bluma 5). Steals: VU 8 (Grant 3). Blocked Shots: VU 7 (Michels 5). Turnovers: VU 14. Fouls: VU 20. Fouled out: None.