Box Score FORT VALLEY, Ga. - The Valdosta State Blazers stood toe-to-toe with the sharpshooting Tigers of Benedict in a neutral site contest, but a scoring drought in overtime led to a 71-61 loss in Fort Valley, Ga. on Saturday night in non-conference men's basketball action.

Trailing 61-59 in the closing moments of regulation, Blake Justice pulled up on a short jumper to tie the game at 61-61 and send the contest to overtime. Unfortunately, the Blazers went cold in the overtime period and failed to score a basket, which led to the defeat.

Jeremiah Hill picked up where he left off on Friday night with a three point shot in the opening moments of the contest, which sparked an 8-2 run out of the gate for the Blazers. The lead held for Valdosta State for a majority of the first half, but Benedict continuously hung around and managed to surge in the closing minutes of the frame with an 11-2 run that Tyoun Shuford capped off with a three point shot just before the close of the half to give Benedict a 29-27 advantage.

The Blazers opened up the second half with a basket by Blake Justice that locked up the score at 29-29, and the back-and-forth began. The teams traded baskets throughout the entirety of the second half, resulting in eight ties and seven lead changes. The tight contest carried over into overtime, where the Tigers outscored the Blazers 10-0.

Justice represented the only Blazer to reach double-digit points in the game with 14 (5-for-14), while Justin Simon served as the leading rebounder with eight total boards. 

Neither team shot well from the three point line, but the Tigers (2-0), who also defeated the West Florida Argonauts on Friday in Valdsosta, did shoot well from close range with a 45.6 effort on the night that included 26 made baskets in 57 attempts. Meanwhile, the Blazers (1-1) shot 33.8 percent from the field  with 21 makes in 71 attempts.

Next up on the Blazer basketball schedule is a showdown on Thursday, November 19th at 8:00 p.m. against the Cougars of Carver Bible College. Stay tuned to www.vstateblazers.com for scores, previews, and updates regarding Blazer Basketball.