VALDOSTA, Ga., – The University of North Alabama women's basketball team was unable to overcome a slow start Thursday evening in a 76-63 Gulf South Conference road loss at Valdosta State. After falling behind 29-10 in the first quarter, the Lions outscored the hosts in two of the next three periods but could never catch up. With the loss, UNA falls to 1-5 overall and 0-1 in GSC play.

Madi Mitchell led VSU (5-1 overall, 1-0 GSC) with a game-high 21 points as the Blazers broke a four-game losing streak to UNA. KeKe Gunter led the Lions with 18 points on the night.

After grabbing the 19-point lead at the end of the first quarter, VSU led by as many as 21, taking a 34-13 lead with 5:39 remaining in the second period. The Lions trailed 43-26 at the break.

Both teams scored 15 points in the third quarter before UNA made a push to get within single digits in the fourth. A basket by Kierra Groce cut the lead to 60-52 with 6:40 remaining. Valdosta State responded with five straight points and the lead remained at least 11 the rest of the way.

Shunice Herron added 15 points for the Lions while Janae Lyde had 11 points and four assists for the game.

UNA will play at West Florida on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at the UWF Field House in Pensacola.