VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State moved to .500 on the season at 4-4 with a 56-38 win over Albany State. The loss drops the Golden Rams to 0-3 on the season.

The Lady Blazers let Albany State lead by four two minutes into the game, but consecutive lay-ups from Tamika Booker and Brittany Daniels tied the game. Then Michelle Thompson hit a three-pointer for the lead and Valdosta State never looked back.

Leschelle Matthews continued her role as floor general with six assists in the game. She is averaging 5.7 per game and has passed for three or more assists in seven consecutive games this season. She added four rebounds and two steals.

She helped four Lady Blazers reach double-digits in scoring, including freshman Alli Jones. The freshman has stepped up in a big way in the early going of the season. She has three starts under her belt and has averaged 10.3 points per game in the last four VSU outings. Jones provided a spark for the Lady Blazers Saturday on her way to 11 points.

Booker and Daniels poured in 10 points apiece, and Sierra Nixon joined Jones with 11 points. Nixon also led all players in rebounds with seven, steals with three and blocks with three. She also notched three assists.

The Lady Blazer defense forced 21 turnovers on 10 steals and outrebounded Albany State, 34-21. All of the rebounds led to 28 points in the paint, 19 points off turnovers and 11 second chance points.

Valdosta State also shot nearly 50 percent from the field in the first half and finished at 42.9 percent and 50 percent from long range. Leading the charge from the three-point line was Jones, making three of four.

For Albany State, Nafeesha Frost was the only player to reach double figures with 11 points. Callie Hamilton and Markeisha Henderson both had four rebounds to lead ASU.

The Lady Blazers return to the court against Columbus State at 6 p.m. Tuesday.