VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State plays the first of two straight games in the state of Mississippi as the Blazers travel to Delta State for a game Thursday evening at 8:30 p.m.
The Blazers enter the contest with a 6-4 record and a 1-3 mark in Gulf South Conference play. VSU is coming off a tough loss to Shorter Monday evening as the Blazers fell 98-94 in overtime to the Hawks.
Valdosta State is averaging 78.9 points per game and gives up 78.1 per outing. The Blazers shoot 42.6 percent from the floor, including 30.7 percent from beyond the three-point line. However, VSU has shown signs of improvement offensively recently as the Blazers are shooting 47.2 percent from the floor in their last two games. While Valdosta State's offense has shown improvement of late, the defense continues to cause havoc for opponents as VSU is averaging more than nine steals and four blocks per game on the season.
James Spencer leads the Blazers as he is averaging 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. His partner in the front court,
Colin Cook, scored 21 points Monday evening and leads the team with 24 blocked shots while
Blake Justice averages 12.5 points and has connected on 22 three-pointers on the season. Overall, four Valdosta State players average double figures in points as Cook averages 10.0 and
Jeremiah Hill 10.6.
Valdosta State's defense will be tested as it matches up against one of the top offensive teams in the GSC in Delta State this weekend. The Statesmen, who are 6-4 on the season, but 3-1 in league play, average 80.0 points a game and shoot 51.1 percent from the floor. Four DSU players average double digit points, led by sophomore guard Devin Schmidt at 18.1 per game. Schmidt also leads the team with 48 assists and has made 57-of-63 free throws on the year, or 90.5 percent.
Thursday's game will be carried live on the Valdosta State Radio Network and can be heard on the flagship station of VSU Athletics, Talk 92.1.
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