http://njcaa.org/sports/wbkb/2018-19/div1/boxscores/20181109_w4ro.xml?view=boxscore

NICEVILLE, Fla. -- A sluggish second quarter sent the Vincennes University Women’s basketball team to its first loss of the season, Friday afternoon.

Preseason No. 3 Gulf Coast State outscored the Trailblazers 34-13 in the second en route to an 85-64 victory in the opening day of the Gulf Coast Classic.

“They are a really, really good team,” VU coach Harry Meeks said of his opponent. “They were about 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-5 in the middle and they had one girl No. 32 (Brittany Davis) who just shot lights out tonight. She was hitting shots 5-10 feet behind the arc.”

Davis hit four three-pointers and scored 20 points for the game.

Gulf Coast held a 19-11 advantage after the first 10 minutes of play before stretching its lead to 53-24 at intermission.

“They just got us out of our offense there in the second quarter,” Meeks said. “They got us to the point where we just could not run any of our offense no matter what we tried.”

The Trailblazers made the final score more respectable by making good on 31 of 40 free throw attempts, including 18-for-24 in the second half.

“I was proud of the way the team played extremely hard all game,” Meeks stated. “Not once did we back down from them. We just have to learn to play a little more physical and be more assured of what we want to do.”

Jaynice Stovall made 12 of 13 from the charity stripe as she led VU in scoring with 20 points. It was her second straight 20-point game.

Jhala Henry (11) and Reeva Hammelman (10) combined for 21 points in the loss.

Cristina De La Cruz-Fuente and Nickelle O’Neil both added six points.

The Trailblazers entered the game shooting over 50 percent from the field on the season but could only connect on 15 of 47 field goals Friday -- for 32 percent.

Gulf Coast shot 36-of-69 from the floor in the game.

The Trailblazers wrap up tournament action Saturday against No. 2 Northwest Florida State.

“Things are going to be even tougher tomorrow,” Meeks said. “But this is a good experience for out team. I hate to lose, but the tougher the teams you play the more ready you get by the end of the season.”

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VICKIE PUFFER, Communications Coordinator & Online Newsroom Manager

812-888-4162 office, 812-887-4635 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, vpuffer@vinu.edu

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/news/newsroom