Pricop’s double-double leads Lady Blazers past D-III No. 6 Owens C.C.

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers opened up the 2024 Vincennes Lady Blazer Classic Friday evening inside the Physical Education Complex with a back-and-forth battle with NJCAA Division III No. 6-ranked Owens Community College.

The Lady Blazers came into the game again short-handed, with only seven active players and were able to come away with the 82-73 victory over the Express behind a 21-point 14-rebound double-double by freshman Delora Pricop (Brasov, Romania).

VU got off to a good start in the opening quarter, beginning the game with an early 6-2 lead before Owens answered back to take a 16-12 lead.

Vincennes closed out the first 10 minute period strong though, riding a 10-0 scoring run to take a 22-16 lead after the first quarter of play.

The Lady Blazers would hold their lead throughout most of the second quarter, getting the lead to as many as eight at 33-25 before Owens ended the first half with a flurry of threes to come back and take a 47-45 lead at the halftime break.

Coming out of the locker room in the second half, the Lady Blazers looked to get the momentum back on their home floor, using an 11-3 scoring run to take a 60-54 lead late in the third quarter.

Owens would again battle back, closing out the third quarter strong to head into the final 10 minutes trailing Vincennes 62-61.

Vincennes was able to slowly put the game away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Owens C.C. 8-1 to take a 72-65 lead.

Owens battled to the end, cutting the VU lead down o four at 77-73 but were unable to overcome the deficit as Vincennes closed out the 82-73 victory.

"It wasn't pretty but a win is a win," VU Interim Head Coach Ingrida Hartsfield said. "I think in the second half especially we starting playing better defense. Just closing the gaps, closing out and finding the shooters. They still made some shots but it wasn't as many as in the first half."

"I think we got to pushing the ball a little bit more up the floor and attacking the basket," Hartsfield added. "Netala had a big game just from doing what she is best at, which is driving to the basket and attacking. It was a big game for Delora as well and I'm just glad she showed up and I hope we can keep her there."

"I just think we started finding our roles again and doing our jobs out there," Hartsfield said. "It was a slow start but just playing better defense helped."

The Lady Blazers were led offensively by freshman Delora Pricop (Brasov, Romania), who secured her second straight double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds on the night.

Freshman Netala Dixon (Dyersburg, Tenn.) got the VU scoring going early and often Friday night, matching Pricop's 21 points, while also adding six rebounds and three assists.

Freshman Ahmya Thomas (Phoenix, Ariz.) came off the bench to score in double figures, coming away with 17 points and a pair of assists.

Friday night marked the Lady Blazer debut of freshman Iris Valera (Augusti, Spain) who got the start Friday night in place of the inactive freshman Kiera Gant (Sellersburg, Ind.) and sophomore Kennedy Johnson-Corley (Clarksville, Tenn.).

Valera made an immediate impact with a first quarter three and finished her night with five points, nine rebounds and three steals.

"I'm big on rebounding," Hartsfield said after her Lady Blazers outrebounded Owens C.C. 45-29. "I'm definitely very pleased with the rebounds. This past week we have spent hours boxing out, rebounding and just working on the things that is clearly paying off right now just from looking at the stats sheet."

"Ahmya coming in and stepping up, using her speed and aggressiveness to score 17 points was big tonight," Hartsfield added. "Delora was able to find her layups and started going up strong and that just makes a huge difference."

The Lady Trailblazers will look to keep this momentum going when they return to the P.E. Complex floor Saturday, Nov. 16 to close out the 2024 Lady Blazer Classic against Moberly Area Community College at 5 p.m. eastern.

VU will look to get some payback against the Lady Greyhounds who defeated the Lady Blazers 73-61 earlier this season in Moberly, Mo.

Saturday night will also be 'Hurricane Relief Night' at the Physical Education Complex. Fans can get free admission to the VU men's and women's doubleheader tomorrow with a donation of paper towels or toilet paper. Donations will go to support those still in need from the effects of Hurricane Helene.

Other scores from day one of the 2024 VU Lady Blazer Classic include No. 4 Wabash Valley College winning over Moberly Area Community College 95-66.

"I just hope they keep fighting," Hartsfield said. "It's not going to be easy but I hope that they keep rebounding, keep attacking the basket and just getting stops on defense, talking on defense. Just the little things. If we just do the little things I think we have a shot. But it's going to take teamwork and a team effort."

VINCENNES BOX SCORE

VINCENNES (82): Iris Valera 2-7 0-0 5, Delora Pricop 9-21 3-4 21, Marta Chico 4-11 0-0 8, Yanni Huggins 3-4 0-0 6, Netala Dixon 10-20 0-2 21, Ahmya Thomas 6-9 4-5 17, Emani Washington 1-4 1-2 4, Team 35-76 8-13 82.

Owens C.C. – 16   31   14   12 – 73

VU (2-3) – 22   23   17   20 – 82

Three-point goals: VU 4 (Valera, Dixon, Thomas, Washington). Rebounds: VU 45 (Pricop 14). Assists: VU 13 (Dixon 3). Steals: VU 15 (Huggins 4). Blocked Shots: VU 4 (Pricop 2). Turnovers: VU 21. Personal Fouls: VU 13. Fouled out: Pricop.