LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama women’s basketball team returns to Gulf South Conference action on Saturday, February 23, as the Tigers (11-13, 6-3 GSC) host #14 Valdosta State in a 2 p.m. contest. The game can be followed via live stats at athletics.uwa.edu.

UWA and the Lady Blazers (20-4, 6-3 GSC) enter the contest bidding for position in the GSC Women’s Basketball Tournament that begins on Wednesday, March 5 and runs through Sunday, March 9 at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Miss. The two teams are currently tied for second in the GSC East and have secured spots in the tournament.

Ashton Washington and Jessica Thompson continue to lead the Tigers in scoring. Washington, who reached the 1,000-point plateau on Monday at UAH, is averaging 13.3 points a contest. Thompson, a product of Valhermoso Springs, Ala., is just behind Washington with 12.9 points an outing. Washington, a Lexington, Miss.-native, also leads UWA on the boards with 8.9 rebounds a game.

Carley Peterson paces VSU with 10.5 points a contest followed by Michelle Thompson with 9 points and Nina Risto with 8.9 points an outing. Khaleh Thomas is the catalyst on the glass with 7.1 rebounds a game for the Lady Blazers.

The Tigers and VSU each enter the Saturday afternoon showdown winning their last trips on the floor. UWA traveled to Huntsville, Ala. and claimed a 73-58 victory, clinching its spot in the conference tournament. The Lady Blazers also went on the road and picked up a 52-44 “W” against North Alabama, who has also claimed a spot in the GSC Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Following Saturday’s contest, West Alabama will travel to West Florida on Monday, February 25, to face the Argos in the GSC action. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. The game will be aired on Y-104.9-FM.