After trailing visiting Valdosta State 32-26 at the halftime break, the Lee women's basketball team rallied to out-score the Blazers 39-19 in the second stanza and post a convincing 65-51 victory in a Gulf South Conference contest in Walker Arena on Thursday evening.

The win pushes Lee's record to 5-3 overall and an important 2-1 mark in the GSC. Valdosta slipped to 6-2 overall and suffered its first defeat in conference play (2-1). Lee will return to action on Saturday afternoon and face another tough challenge against the University of West Florida. The contest is the first of a doubleheader and is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tip.

After shooting only 26 percent in the first half, Lee regrouped and quickly took command in the second 20 by shooting 48 percent from the field and 43 percent from behind the arc. They out-scored Valdosta 24-12 in the third quarter. On the other hand, the Lee defense picked up the intensity and held the Blazers to only seven points in the final frame.

"Overall, that is probably the best half of basketball we've played in a long time," stated a pleased coach Marty Rowe after a big win over a tough GSC opponent. "I'm not talking about two or three players playing well, we got a good effort out of a lot of girls tonight, including our freshmen." 

Sophomore Erin Walsh helped light the flame in the second half and finished with a game high 22 points. She was 8-of-15 from the field, 4-of-7 from 3-point range and 2-of-2 from the line. Carrie Cheeks produced a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. She helped keep the Lady Flames in the contest in the opening 20 minutes. Christina Johnson battled on the glass against the Blazers and pulled down 12 rebounds while scoring eight points. Freshman Haris Price dished off nine assists to go along with her four points. 

"It won't show up on the stat line, but we got a solid effort out of freshman Tori Lentz, Anna Woodford and Price," said Rowe. "Veteran players Jordan Neuharth, Kayla Beavers and Shelby Brown also played a role in the victory."

Lee's defense forced the Blazers into 20 turnovers while committing only 14. They out-rebounded the rugged Valdosta team 39-32 and out-scored the visitors in the paint 24-14. 

Aaliyah Cheatham and Jo Bistrow paced the Blazers in scoring with 15 points apiece. No other Valdosta player tallied more than six markers against the stubborn Lee defense.