VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State men's basketball team held Delta State to its lowest point total of the season in a convincing 62-52 win over the Statesmen in Gulf South Conference basketball action on Thursday night at The Complex in Titletown, USA.

The highlight of the third straight victory for Head Coach Mike Helfer's squad was the team's defensive effort, which held the Statesmen (8-3, 3-2 GSC) to just a 34.6 percent offensive effort on just 18-of-52 shooting from the field. Furthermore, the Blazers ((8-2, 4-1 GSC) locked down on guard Devin Schmidt, who entered the contest as the GSC's second-best scorer with an average of over 24 points per game. The junior finished with 17 points on the night, seven of which came from the free throw line.

Despite a poor rebounding performance for Valdosta State, in which the Statesmen outrebounded the Blazers 44-28, Valdosta State was able to keep the game in check throughout the duration of the contest with another strong output on the offensive end. The Blazers shot over 45 percent from the field in each half to finish with a 46.0 overall shooting effort, and the squad was led by senior Justin Simon, who connected on every shot he took for a perfect 6-for-6 night. In addition, Simon capped off his 17-point performance with 5-for-5 shooting from the free throw line, and he also led the team on the boards with seven.

Valdosta State nearly led the contest throughout its entirety, but the Blazers did allow Delta State to take a 19-18 lead with 3:58 to play in the first half. The advantage was short-lived for the Statesmen, however, as Chris Bilbo followed just 30 seconds later with a long three ball to put VSU back on top. Delta State answered with a game tying layup by Zelvin Smith, but Bilbo added another jumper one minute later before he pushed the Blazers in front 26-21 with another three pointer for his third bucket in less than two minutes. The lead was one that the Blazers would never surrender again, as Valdosta State held DSU at bay throughout the entire second half.

Bilbo and Blake Justice complemented Simon's perfect offensive night with 12 points each, while Shuan Jones and Josh Lemons chipped in with eight and seven points, respectively.

Valdosta State now looks ahead to Saturday, where the Blazers will close out the 2015 calendar year with a GSC matchup against the Mississippi College Choctaws. The contest will tip at 4:00 p.m., with live coverage available, as always, right here at www.vstateblazers.com.