Valdosta, Ga. - Valdosta State looks to get back on the winning track as the Blazers welcome Gulf South Conference foe Lee to The Complex Wednesday evening.
The Blazers are currently 5-3 on the season, but dropped their first two GSC games of the year last weekend on the road. The Blazers have been particularly successful at home this year where they are 5-0 and have won by an average of 12.6 points per outing. Defending the home court in Gulf South Conference games will be particularly important this year as home league games account for nearly 40 percent of the regular season slate.
Valdosta State enters Wednesday's game averaging 77.5 points per game and is shooting 41.5 percent from the floor on the year.
Blake Justice leads the squad as he has connected on 20 three-pointers on the season and is currently averaging 13.5 points a game.
James Spencer is second in scoring at 12.1 points a game and first in rebounding as he pulls down 7.1 rebounds per outing.
Jeremiah Hill also averages in double figures at 10.6 points a game and has a team-high 23 steals.
Steals have been an important feature of Valdosta State's game this year as the Blazers currently average 9.6 per game, which leads the Gulf South Conference and ranks 32nd-best nationally. Valdosta State's defense has forced opponents into more than 17 turnovers a game, an important item to watch in the game as Lee gives the ball up more than 15 times per game.
While Lee, which is 6-1 overall on the season and 1-1 in GSC play, may struggle holding on to the ball on offense, when it doesn't turn the ball over it has been quite effective as the Flames shoot 47.4 percent from the floor on the year. The sharp-shooting extends to the free throw line, where LU makes 76.8 percent of its attempts.
Three Flames are averaging in double figures, led by Cory Billingsley at 17.9 points a game. Tyquan Roberts follows at 13.1 points a game and leads the squad with 5.3 rebounds an outing, while Stedmon Ford averages 10.6 points and leads the team with 27 assists on the year.
Tip-off for the game is slated for 8:00 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.
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