VALDOSTA, Ga. (Dec. 6, 2008) - Erin Zampell (Fr., Naples, Fla.) recorded 20 points and was 5-for-7 from three-point range, but it was not enough as the Nova Southeastern University women's basketball team lost 65-59 to host Valdosta State at the Days INNvitational on Saturday evening.

Valdosta State (6-1) jumped out to a 9-0 lead to start the game, but the Sharks (0-5) used a 7-2 run to make it an 11-7 game in favor of the Blazers at the 13:22 mark. The Blazers eventually took an eight-point margin as a layup by Tamika Booker at 8:47 gave Valdosta State an 18-10 advantage.

NSU gradually chipped away at Valdosta State's lead and came within two on a Zampell three-pointer that made it 22-20. However, an 11-0 Valdosta State run allowed the Blazers to pull away and hold a 33-20 lead with 2:55 to go.

The Sharks used an 8-0 run of their own to close out the first half. Zampell, who was a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc in the opening half, began the run with trey at the 1:35 mark. Jada Buckner (Fr., Loudon, Tenn.) added a jumper with 59 seconds remaining. Meanwhile, Zampell concluded the half another three-pointer that made it 33-28 in favor of Valdosta State.

NSU's solid offense continued into the first part of the second half. Behind a 9-4 run, the Sharks tied the game at 37-37 off a Stevie Kamp (Fr., Mesa, Ariz.) layup with 15:32 to go. After a Booker layup gave Valdosta State a two-point edge, Zampell drained her fifth three-pointer of the game as NSU took a 40-39 lead with 12:29 remaining.

However, two layups and a pair of three-pointers allowed Valdosta State to take a nine-point 49-40 advantage with 9:29 left. The Blazers eventually pushed their lead to 11 as a Michelle Thompson jumper at 6:38 made it 58-47. NSU fought back as a layup by Stephanie Sarosi (Jr., Mims, Fla.) sparked a 10-2 run for the Sharks, who cut the Blazers' lead down to three with 1:25 remaining.

Two made foul shots by Leschelle Matthews put Valdosta State up 62-57. The Sharks answered as Abbie Tepe (So., Cincinnati, Ohio) sank both of her shots from the charity stripe to make it 62-59 with 54 seconds to go. That would be a close as NSU could get as a Thompson trey at 26 seconds allowed the Blazers to take a six-point 65-59 lead.

NSU shot 42.0 percent for the game, going 21-for-50, while Valdosta State was 46.3 percent (25-for-54) from the floor. Valdosta State held a slight edge on rebounds, grabbing 34 as the Sharks collected 33.

In addition to Zampell's team-high 20 points, Sarosi chipped in with 16 and Kamp, who was a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor, added 10. Sarosi also recorded five of NSU's six blocks and had a game-high four assists. Tepe led the Sharks with seven rebounds.

Matthews tallied a game-high 21 points behind 8-of-15 shooting. Meanwhile, Booker recorded the game's only double-double with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

NSU returns to action next Saturday when the Sharks open Sunshine State Conference play against Eckerd. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m. from the University Center.