Turnovers prove costly as Lady Blazers fall just short of No. 6 Wabash Valley

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers hosted a special Valentine's Day edition of the Region 24 rivalry with No. 6-ranked Wabash Valley College Wednesday night in the Physical Education Complex in a game that would not count towards the Region 24 standings.

VU fought hard against the highly ranked Lady Warriors, heading into the fourth quarter tied before coming up just a little short as Wabash Valley came away with the 92-85 victory.

The Lady Blazers controlled many aspects of the game, including holding a 53-31 advantage rebounding, but were ultimately undone by 34 total turnovers in the game.

VU got off to a bit of a slow start with Wabash Valley quickly jumping in front 7-3 before Vincennes would even the score at 11-11.

Every Lady Warrior scoring run was immediately answered by the Lady Trailblazers evening the score in the first quarter, before WVC scored the final bucket of the period to take a 22-20 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.

Wabash Valley again looked to put some distance between them on the scoreboard, opening the second quarter on a 5-1 scoring run.

Vincennes rallied back with eight straight to take a 29-27 lead midway through the second quarter.

The Lady Warriors looked to gain control with eight unanswered to take their largest lead of the first half at 42-33.

The Lady Trailblazers would close the margin to six at the halftime break, heading into the locker room trailing Wabash Valley 45-39.

The second half began with the Lady Trailblazers looking to make a statement, opening the third quarter by outscoring Wabash Valley 17-5 to take a 56-50 lead midway through the quarter.

Wabash Valley answered back with a 9-2 scoring run to take the lead back before the two teams traded free throws to end the quarter deadlocked at 60-60 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

The Lady Warriors again looked to take control of the momentum, scoring the first six points of the fourth quarter and building a 67-61 lead early in the fourth.

VU would slowly chip away at this lead, keeping the game close as long as possible before striking with just over three minutes to go and take a 79-78 lead.

Wabash Valley then seemingly put the game away with an 8-0 scoring run to take an 89-81 lead.

Vincennes kept playing through the buzzer but were unable to overcome the deficit as the Lady Warriors came away with the 92-85 victory over the Lady Blazers.

The lead changed hands 16 times during the game Wednesday night, with the score being tied an additional nine times throughout the game.

The Lady Trailblazers were led by an outstanding career-night double-double by freshman Destinee Hooks (Indianapolis, Ind.) who set a new career high with 35 points and13 rebounds to go along with four assists on the night, earning her second collegiate double-double.

Sophomore Elikya Baseyila (Paris, France) would not be denied on the glass early and often Wednesday night, finishing off her eighth double-double of the season and 20th of her VU career with 14 points and 16 rebounds, as well as having a team-high five assists.

Sophomore Najra Voloder (Konjic, Bosnia) was the third VU player to finish with double digit rebounds, ending her night with 11 rebounds and five points, with a team-high three steals.

Freshman Giavonnie Belton (Indianapolis, Ind.) came off the bench to add nine points for VU, while fellow freshman Karina Scott (Noblesville, Ind.) added seven points, three rebounds, three assists and matched Voloder's team-high three steals.

The Lady Trailblazers will close out the week on the road as VU heads to Carterville, Ill. to face-off against John A. Logan College Saturday, Feb. 17. Tip-off time for the Lady Trailblazers is set for 2 p.m. eastern.

VU defeated the Lady Vols 84-71 earlier this season in the Physical Education Complex, aided by 17 points by Destinee Hooks and 13 points by Makyla Tucker.

VINCENNES BOX SCORE

VINCENNES (85): Maycee Lange 2-6 0-0 5, Elikya Baseyila 4-6 6-6 14, Destinee Hooks 13-23 5-9 35, Karina Scott 2-6 1-2 7, Katrina Litte 2-6 0-0 4, Giavonnie Belton 3-12 1-2 9, Makyla Tucker 2-9 0-0 5, Najra Voloder 1-1 3-4 5, Brie Miller 0-2 1-2 1, Team 29-71 17-25 85.

Wabash Valley – 22   23   15   32 – 92

VU (13-9, 8-1) – 20   19   21   25 – 85

Three-point goals: VU 10 (Hooks 4, Scott 2, Belton 2, Lange, Tucker). Rebounds: VU 53 (Baseyila 16). Assists: VU 19 (Baseyila 5). Steals: VU 9 (Scott 3, Voloder 3). Blocked Shots: VU 2 (Lange, Voloder). Turnovers: VU 34. Personal Fouls: VU 27. Fouled out: None.