BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- In a hard-fought Gulf South Conference championship, the Lee University women's basketball team came up just short to the #1 seed, Valdosta State University 63-58. In a game where the Lady Flames led for 32 minutes, a 23-point fourth quarter from VSU gave them their first GSC title since 2017.
Valdosta State scored the first bucket of the game behind a three-point shot from Lilli Long. It was the first of three made shots from long range for her. However, Lee answered right back with a 9-0 run sparked by Addison Smith's three to get it started. VSU had an answer right back and tied it at 13-13 behind a Taylor Searcy three. After a slight drought from both teams, Haley Cameron made a layup with eight seconds left in the first quarter to give Lee a 17-15 lead.
The second quarter was a three-point shooting contest as Lee was 3-for-6 from long range and VSU was 2-for-6. Lee came out strong to start the quarter as Smith and Haylee Johnson hit back-to-back threes to give us a 24-17 lead midway through the second quarter. VSU didn't go away despite going down by as many as eight in the half. Taylor Francis hit a three right before the halftime buzzer to make Lee's lead 33-28 at the halftime break.
The second half was a different story and neither team could make an outside shot. Lee was 1-for-11 from long range in the second half while VSU was 1-for-5. The Lady Blazers started on a 6-0 run before Mallory Hampton managed to get a jumper to go. Lee then held Valdosta to a scoreless drought but could not take advantage. The Lady Flames led it 43-40 after thirty minutes of action.
Lee extended the lead to 50-44 with six minutes to go in the game, but VSU continued to press and retook the lead 51-50 in the fourth quarter. They made it a 9-0 run and went up 53-50 with 3:30 left. Baylee Delbridge made a layup and was fouled but could not convert the and one to keep it a 53-52 game. On the next offensive possession, Haylee Johnson made one of two free throws to tie the game at 53.
Lee tied the game at 55-55 but with 36 seconds left, Hampton fouled out of the contest. VSU made six free throws down the stretch and earned the 63-58.
Both teams made 21 field goals in the contest. VSU made six from long range while Lee made five. The difference was at the free throw line as Lee was 11-for-16 and VSU was 15-for-19. Both teams had 28 points in the paint, but VSU had 39 rebounds including 14 offensive to just 29 for the Lady Flames.
Hampton had 17 points and was the game high scorer. Anna Muhonen had 15, and Addison Smith had 10 points.
Hampton and Johnson were both named to the All-Tournament team.
The Lady Flames have reached the final five times (currently four years in a row). Lee won the
championship in 2019 (81-73 over VSU) and lost the past three to Union. VSU played in their ninth final and have now won four titles with the last coming in 2017
The Lady Flames will now wait to see if they will qualify for the NCAA DII National Championship. The selection show will be streamed at 10:30 PM EST on ncaa.com.
