PENSACOLA, Fla. – The No. 4 seeded University of West Florida women's basketball team beat No. 5 seeded Valdosta State University on Tuesday night in the first round of the 2025 Truist GSC Women's Basketball Championship. The Argos defeated the Lady Blazers, 66-52 at UWF Field House, to advance to the semifinals of the tournament.
This matchup was a close setup with the Argos splitting their games with the Lady Blazers during the regular season. Early in the season, UWF beat VSU by one basket on the Lady Blazers home court, while Valdosta edged out a 6-point win over UWF at the UWF Field House later.
After a slow start in the first quarter and trailing 14-9, the Argos shifted the momentum in the second quarter with a 23-point performance. Haidyn Pitsch and Bella Green led the offensive push for UWF in the quarter. Pitsch knocked down a three-pointer early on to cut into the deficit, and moments later, converted a fast-break layup following a steal by Delaney Trushel. Green added back-to-back layups, to help West Florida seize a 32-26 lead headed into the lockerroom at half.
Valdosta State attempted to rally in the third quarter, but UWF's defensive pressure and rebounding kept the Lady Blazers behind. Green continued her play with a made basket, and one, with 5:57 left in the third, giving the Argos their largest lead at the time, 39-29.
West Florida pulled away in the final quarter and secured their victory. After Valdosta State cut the lead to single digits, Liv Becker sunk a three-pointer with an assist from Pitsch, to extend the margin to 55-44 with under five minutes remaining. Green then secured the double-digit lead with a layup. The Argos sealed the win at the free-throw line, where they finished 18-of-23 for the night.
Green posted a double-double on the night with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Pitsch contributed 16 points, including two three-pointers and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Becker added 10 points on 3-of-3 shooting, including two from beyond the arc.
West Florida's defensive effort also played a key role, as the Argos blocked six shots, added 41 rebounds, and held Valdosta State to just 32% shooting from the field.
Kiersten Nelson led Valdosta State with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Erin Whalen added 11 points.
With their victory, UWF advances to the semifinal round of the 2025 Truist GSC Women's Basketball Championship. The Argos will face No. 1 seed Union in Birmingham, Ala. on March 8 at 12 p.m.
