PENSACOLA, Fla. – In a tightly contested battle throughout, the Valdosta State women's basketball team pulled within 65-64 in the final minute, but came up just short in a 69-64 loss to No. 9 Eckerd College in the season-opener for both teams. VSU had three players in double figures led by 14 points and nine rebounds from junior Kalifa Ford. Eckerd's Bella Green had 18 points off the bench on 7 of 10 from the field also leading three players in double figures.