MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Four Valdosta State players reached double-digits in the scoring column with two others scoring nine points each to help lead the Blazers to an important 73-63 Gulf South Conference road win over Christian Brothers on Saturday night at Canale Arena in Memphis, Tenn.
 
After losing eight of their last ten matchups against the Bucs, the Blazers snapped the trend on Saturday to remain locked in a tie with Delta State and West Georgia in the current GSC standings. The win lifted VSU to 9-3 overall on the year and 5-2 in conference play, while the Bucs fell to 6-7 overall and 4-3 in league action.
 
Both teams matched up evenly in a majority of the statistical categories on the night. Valdosta State held a narrow edge with 40 rebounds against 39 for CBU, and the Blazers outshot the Bucs 46.6 percent to 44.1 percent from the field. The difference, however, came from VSU's bench. Josh Lemons, Shaun Jones, and Tyler Martin teamed up to deliver 27 bench points, a stark contrast to just four points scored by CBU's reserves.
 
The Blazers trailed by one point at halftime, and a quick offensive spurt of eight unanswered points in the opening minutes of the second half put Valdosta State in a 39-30 hole early in the closing period. VSU weathered the storm, however, and mounted a comeback effort over the next ten minutes that knotted the game up at 52-52 following a Martin triple from nearly 25 feet away. The two teams traded buckets on the two ensuing possessions, before Blake Justice connected from long range moments later to put the Blazers in front 57-54 and give VSU a lead at the 7:12 mark that would hold for the remainder of the contest.
 
Chris Longoria led all Blazers with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting with two treys and a free throw. In addition, Justice finished with 12 points, Justin Simon scored nine points and pulled down seven rebounds, and Saadiq Muhammad added nine points in the game, despite playing just 19 minutes of the contest due to foul trouble.
 
Next up for Valdosta State, it's a 9:00 p.m. matchup in Jackson, Tenn. against the Bulldogs of Union University. The road contest is slated for Monday, January 4^th, with live coverage available right here at www.vstateblazers.com.