VALDOSTA, Ga. --- The Mississippi College women's basketball team dropped a Gulf South Conference road contest on Sunday, Dec. 3 at Valdosta State University, 73-44. MC moves to 2-5 on the season and 1-3 in the conference. The Lady Blazers improve to 6-2 and 3-1 in the league.

"We ran a gauntlet and got better," said head coach Greg Long. "It is hard to find positives on a trip like this, but there were some big positives for this team."
 
Brett Gardner scored in double figures for the third time this season and 12th of her career as she paced the Choctaws with 11 points. The Batesville, Ark., native's point total is her second-highest, scoring output this season and four points off a season-high.
 
DeKeria Walls added a season-high as she compiled eight points. Her previous best was six points versus Christian Brothers on Nov. 27, 2023. The Carrollton, Miss., product added a team-best five rebounds – one off her season-best – also set against CBU.

"We have some players that are stepping to set up. DeKeria, Kennedy (Ransom), Brett, Karly Ivy and Sky Vaughn are getting tougher, showing leadership and their capabilites on the floor," Long said. "It is still early in the season and a whole lot of basketball left to play. Hopefully we can start to get healthy and get some key pieces back on the floor."
 
After a seemingly slow start the opening period, the Choctaws improved its output in the second stanza as it totaled 14 points. The Blue and Gold were perfect from the charity stripe and connected on 50 percent of its shots from the field and behind the arc. However, it trailed by 21 at the intermission.
 
Both teams struggled for points in the early minutes of the second half as they combined for four points midway through the third period – two points each, but the Lady Blazers outscored the Blue and Gold 14-8 and take a 27-point advantage into the final 10 minutes of action. The two teams nearly even in the final period, but VSU edged the Blue and Gold, 15-13, en route to the victory.
 
Victoria Ikenasio paced a quartet of Lady Blazers in double-digit scoring with 16 points. She also finished second on the team in scoring with five rebounds. Erin Whalen led the Red and Black with seven boards.

Mississippi College returns to action on Friday, Dec. 8 as it hosts the University of Montevallo in GSC play. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
  Read Full Article