JACKSON, Tennessee – Valdosta State jumped out to a commanding 19-7 lead at the end of the first period and never looked back in handing Lee University a 70-44 defeat on Saturday evening in the semifinal round of the NCAA D2 South Regionals. 

The Blazers advanced to the Sweet 16 and will face the winner of host Union University and Eckerd College (Fla.). The event is being played at the Fred Delay Gymnasium. 

Statistics tell the entire story in this contest. Valdosta State out-rebounded Lee 38-18 and pulled down 12 offensive rebounds. The Blazers marched to the free-throw line 26 times and made 21. The Lady Flames were awarded just 10 freebies and connected on nine. Valdosta shot 45% from the field and Lee 31%. The Blazers tallied 34 points in the paint and Lee 18 and had 10 second chance points to 10 for the Lady Flames. The stats continued in fast break points with the Georgia squad holding a commanding 14-2 advantage.  

"I just thought we didn't meet the intensity of the moment. Valdosta State came out ready to play and we weren't able to respond to their punch the entire game," said Coach Marty Rowe after the Lady Flames finished the season at 25-8. "I give them credit, they were ready to play, and we knew they would be. We got them last week in the GSC and they came out as the more aggressive team tonight." 
 
Senior Halle Hughes was the only Lee player in double-figure scoring and finished her career with 13 points. She had a pair of 3-point shots and made 3-of-3 free throws. Morgan Carbaugh came off the bench and hit 4-of-6 shots from the field and totaled nine points.  
  
Kwajelin Farrar paced the Blazers with 20 points. Nicole Heye added 16 points and made 9-of-10 free throws. Reserve Taylor Searcey rounded out the double-figure scoring with 12 points while Tamiya Francis, the smallest player on the floor, led both teams in rebounds with eight. The Blazers will take an impressive 25-5 record into Monday's finals. 
 
"I'm disappointed in the way we came out tonight, but that doesn't change the fact that this was a special season for our program, and we take pride in winning an NCAA Tournament game," pointed out Coach Rowe.  
 
"It was a special season because of our seniors, Halle (Hughes), Camryn (Grant), Micah (Black) and Lynnsey (Keener). They are great leaders and great examples of what we want our student athletes to be and what we want them to represent both on and off the court," concluded the Lee coach.