TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Valdosta State was able to keep the exhibition game close against Florida State to start, but in the end the Seminoles were able to overpower the Lady Blazers, 70-36.

That said, Valdosta State showed signs of success to come. Behind a strong nucleus, the Lady Blazers played well in the second half. The team scored 22 second half points to Florida State’s 31.

New senior transfer, Sierra Nixon led the team in scoring with 12 points and was second among all scorers. She was four of six in the first half and finished five of 11. She also registered a block, two steals and an assist.

Leschelle Matthews continues to pace the Lady Blazers when it comes to assists. She passed out four and notched three steals in just over 30 minutes of play.

Tamika Booker did more of what she is good at doing. Last season’s leading rebounder led the team in rebounds with five on the night, many of them coming against players that stand 6-foot-4. Two others, Brittany Daniels and Sczeny Hartry, brought down four boards.

Hartry struggled in foul trouble for most of the first half, but provided a spark for the Lady Blazers in the second half. The bench busted out in the second half as well. After no points in the first half, VSU’s bench scored 13 points in the second frame.

For Florida State, Alexa Deluzio led the team in scoring with 15 points. Two others scored 11. Leonor Rodriguez brought down nine rebounds and scored eight points in the game. She also passed out three assists, made one block and two steals. Angel Gray also gave three assists.

Valdosta State will start the regular season against Lander at 2 p.m. November 15 in the P.E. Complex.