MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Auburn University at Montgomery women's basketball team dropped a home Gulf South Conference game to East Division foe and No. 10 ranked Valdosta State 75-53 on Friday night at the AUM Gymnasium.

The Warhawks fall to 0-8 in 2020-21 while the nationally ranked Lady Blazers climb to 15-2 on the year and remain in first place in the East Division.

Tyra Johnson led the way offensively for the Orange & Black in her second game as a Warhawk. The senior guard totaled 16 points in the losing effort, including three 3-pointers.

AUM grabbed the first four points of the game thanks to two free throws and a layup from Catlin Carter. Valdosta State found their offensive groove in the middle stages of the first quarter. With the game tied at seven, the Lady Blazers would go on a 12-0 run to take a 16-7 lead.

The Warhawks would battle back to begin the second period as a jumper from Alexia Wallace, and a free throw from Carter cut the Lady Blazer lead to 28-15. Five straight points from Valdosta State extended their lead momentarily, but the Warhawks, aided by Johnson, would cut the lead down to 10 before the halftime break.

Savannah Nunn's layup to begin the action in the third cut the Valdosta State lead to eight, and a 3-pointer three minutes later brought AUM back to within 10. The Lady Blazers would end the third quarter on a 12-3 run to take a commanding 54-35 lead, with the fourth quarter looming.

A Johnson 3-pointer ended the Valdosta State run momentarily. However, the Lady Blazers answered with 12-consecutive points to take a 66-38 advantage. A 10-2 run gave AUM some momentum in the dying moments of the fourth quarter, but the nationally-ranked Lady Blazers won the game 75-53.

The Warhawks will host the Lady Blazers again tomorrow afternoon for the series finale. Game time from the AUM Gymnasium is scheduled for 2 p.m. 

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