Lady Trailblazers open Region 24 schedule with strong win over John A. Logan

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers opened the Region 24 portion of their schedule Wednesday night inside the Physical Education Complex, hosting John A. Logan College from Carterville, Ill.

The short-handed Lady Blazers battled with only six active players to come away with a big 79-64 victory over the Lady Volunteers.

The Lady Blazers got off to an excellent start Wednesday night, opening the game with a very tough defensive first quarter, only allowing the Lady Volunteers two points in the opening 10 minutes of play.

Vincennes closed out the first quarter on a 9-0 scoring run to take a 13-2 lead into the second quarter of play.

John A. Logan looked to bounce back in the second quarter, cutting the VU lead down to seven before the Lady Blazers used a 12-2 scoring run to get their lead to 29-15 at the halftime break.

The Lady Volunteers again answered back to open the third quarter, beginning the second half by outscoring Vincennes 13-3 and cutting the VU lead down to four.

John A. Logan continued to fight and used a 10-0 scoring run to even the score at 42-42 before Vincennes closed out the third period with nine straight points to take a 51-42 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Lady Trailblazers helped put the game away early in the fourth quarter, using a 10-0 scoring run to increase the lead to 61-44.

The Lady Vols would get back within 13 but were unable to get the margin back to single digits as the Lady Blazers closed out the big 79-64 victory to open Region 24 play.

"I just think that we came together and were more disciplined on defense," VU Interim Head Coach Ingrida Hartsfield said. "We knew that we are shorthanded, so we had to stay disciplined, even though we got in foul trouble at times. I'm just very proud of them for playing through it and finishing the game."

The Lady Trailblazers were once again led offensively by freshman Delora Pricop (Satu Mare, Romania) who finished off her fifth double-double of the season with 17 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.

Freshman Ahmya Thomas (Phoenix, Ariz.) battled foul trouble all night to come away with 17 points, three assists and three steals, while sophomore Marta Gutierrez (Alicante, Spain) finished with 17 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Freshman Emani Washington (Indianapolis, Ind.) was the fourth VU scorer in double figures, finishing her night with 17 points, six assists and three rebounds.

Freshman Iris Comesana (Vigo, Spain) got the start Wednesday night for the Lady Blazers, finishing the game with six points and seven rebounds, while freshman Yanni Huggins (Belleville, Mich.) came off the bench to add five points, six rebounds and three steals.

"It's just big when you can have four players in double figures," Hartsfield added. "They are finishing and just doing their job all night. Delora couldn't get it going early but she came around and did her job and made her layups. Ahmya, even while being in foul trouble, stayed aggressive and scored 17 points. Emani coming around as well as Marta just being more aggressive with the ball and finishing. Everyone who stepped on the court tonight and we only had six, everyone contributed to this win."

The Lady Trailblazers will look to carry this momentum into their next game as VU prepares to hit the road Saturday, Dec. 14 to face Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill. at 2 p.m. eastern.

The Lady Blazers will then return home to the P.E. Complex Tuesday, Dec. 17 to close out the first half of their schedule against NJCAA Division II No. 24 Jefferson College at 5 p.m. eastern.

"I just hope to again see them play together, stay disciplined and play even better," Hartsfield said. "Just getting rid of the turnovers, that's what hurts us the most. We will just work on what we need to work on to prepare for Saturday's game. We'll go and fight and just keep going."

VINCENNES BOX SCORE

VINCENNES (79): Iris Comesana 2-6 2-2 6, Delora Pricop 6-15 5-6 17, Ahmya Thomas 6-13 4-5 17, Marta Gutierrez 6-11 4-4 17, Emani Washington 3-11 11-12 17, Yanni Huggins 2-3 1-1 5, Team 25-59 27-30 79.

John A. Logan – 2   13   27   22 – 64

VU (5-7, 1-0) – 13   16   22   28 – 79

Three-point goals: VU 2 (Thomas, Gutierrez). Rebounds: VU 36 (Pricop 14). Assists: VU 21 (Gutierrez 6, Washington 6). Steals: VU 12 (Pricop 3, Thomas 3, Huggins 3). Blocked Shots: VU 8 (Pricop 5). Turnovers: VU 22. Personal Fouls: VU 18. Fouled out: Thomas. Technical Fouls: Hartsfield (3rd – 7:25).