JACKSON, Tenn. – Union University, ranked No. 4 in the Division II national poll, drops its first game of the season to Valdosta State University. Union’s record drops to 10-1 (5-1 GSC) while Valdosta State improves to 9-2 (6-2 GSC).
The Lady Bulldogs have met Valdosta State in the NCAA Division II South Regional in back-to-back seasons. Valdosta State defeated Union in the 2021-22 South Regional, eliminating them from post-season play. The following year, 2022-23, Union eliminated Valdosta State from post-season contention.
First Period: Valdosta State 20, #4 Union 16
Union starters: Shanique Lucas, Courtney Zensen, Olivia Lee, Jazalyn Anousinh, Macey Lee
In the first period of play, Valdosta State led Union by a score of 20-16, shooting 50% from the field and 60% from three-point range. Valdosta State’s Emma Martin led the Lady Blazers and the rest of the field in points with nine through the first ten minutes of action.
Union’s leading scorer in the first period was true freshman Courtney Zensen, who is coming off a career-best showing versus the University of West Florida. Zensen scored five points in the first period off of 1-3 shooting. Emma Kallas was Union’s second-leading scorer totaled four points in the first period for the Lady Bulldogs.
Second Period: Valdosta State 38, #4 Union 30
The Lady Blazers were able to extend their lead to eight going into intermission. Valdosta State led Union in field goal percentage (51.9%), three-point percentage (37.5%), defensive rebounds (13-11), and assists (7-4). Valdosta State was effective in the first half on the defensive side of the ball, forcing Union to commit 11 turnovers.
Kalifa Ford led all players at the half with 11 points off 6-9 shooting. Emma Martin extended her point total to 10 in the second period. The Lady Bulldog’s leading scorers were Brooke Hampel, Emma Kallas, and Jazalyn Anousinh who all went into the break with six points.
Halftime Stats
Emma Kallas: 6 points, 4 rebounds
Jazalyn Anousinh: 6 points, 1 assist
Brooke Hampel: 6 points, 1 rebound
Third Period: Valdosta State 60, #4 Union 51
Valdosta State ended the third period with a nine-point lead, backed by Kalifa Ford’s 16 total points off of 8-14 shooting. Emma Martin was second in scoring for the Lady Blazers with 13 total points (5-7).
Emma Kallas continued to be an offensive threat, leading the Lady Bulldogs in scoring with 10 points. Kallas was 4-6 from the field going into the final period of action. Jazalyn Anousinh, Shanique Lucas, and Courtney Zensen all had 8 points.
Fourth Period: Valdosta State 83, #4 Union 68
Union could not keep up with the Kalifa Ford and the Lady Blazer offense. Ford led all players in scoring with 24 points. Emma Martin (18), India Jordan (15), and Taylor Searcy (11) all scored in double-digit figures for Valdosta State. Valdosta State outpaced Union in shooting percentage (54.5%), three-point percentage (35.7%), rebounds (37-34), and fast break points (25-5).
Union’s leading scorer for the game was Courtney Zensen, who had 12 points. Zensen also led Union with three steals. Jazalyn Anousinh, Macey Lee, and Emma Kallas all tallied 10 points. Anousinh and Lee both had a team-best five rebounds.
Final Stat Lines
Courtney Zensen: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals
Jazalyn Anousinh: 10 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Macey Lee: 10 points, 1 assist, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
Union will return to action at the Fred DeLay Gymnasium on December 28th to take on the University of Tennessee Southern at 5:30 p.m.
