VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State senior Winston Morgan drained eight 3-pointers and scored 26 points on 9 of 14 from the field leading five Blazers in double figures in a 106-90 victory over visiting Mississippi College Thursday evening.  VSU senior Beau Justice had a game-high 27 points as VSU ran its winning streak to five games.
 
The Blazers (19-5, 12-4 GSC) took over sole possession of second place in the Gulf South Conference with four games remaining, following a loss by Christian Brothers against league-leader West Alabama.  VSU hosts Delta State Saturday at 2 p.m. for Hall of Fame Weekend.  Delta State fell to fourth in the conference with a 73-70 loss at West Florida Thursday evening.  
 
Against the Choctaws, the Blazers came out on fire as they hit their first five shots of the game with Morgan beginning the contest 3 of 3 from beyond the arc, en route to an early 15-7 lead.  Brandon Boston cut the deficit to four at 15-11, but VSU went on an 11-2 run for a 26-13 lead capped with two free throws from junior Clay Guillozet who finished with 12 points in the game on 3 of 3 from the field and 6 of 6 from the line.  
 
Junior Bryce Smith posted a dunk off a steal from Guillozet for a 35-19 lead with 9:58 left in the first half, but the Choctaws wouldn't go away quietly as they trimmed the margin to seven at 3528 with 6:33 left in the half, but VSU closed the frame on a commanding 14-5 run for a 51-32 lead at intermission.  
 
For the half, VSU shot a blistering 62.1 percent on 18 of 29, while going 7 of 13 from beyond the arc and 8 of 8 from the line.  Morgan had 17 points in the first half, while Justice added 12.  Howard Thomas had 10 points for the Choctaws, who shot 15 of 35 from the field (.429), while going 1 of 8 from beyond the arc and 1 of 5 from the line.  
 
At halftime, VSU honored former Valdosta State men's basketball standout Bobby Ritch who played for Coach Gary Colson's Rebels from 1962-66.  He had an outstanding career and is the only Valdosta State men's basketball player to have his number retired (44).  Ritch was inducted into the VSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and also was the first Valdosta State player to earn All-America honors as he achieved the feat as both a junior and senior. 
 
The second half turned into a track meet as both teams scored over 50 points in the half with MC shooting 59 percent from the field for the second half and 60 percent from beyond the arc, while VSU shot 56.7 percent in the final stanza and drained seven more triples, while going 14 of 15 from the line.  
 
For the game, VSU shot 35 of 59 for 59.3 percent, while going 14 of 28 from beyond the arc and 22 of 23 from the line.  Blazer senior Greg Zuppas added 15 points and junior Bryce Smith scored 17 points off the bench.  
 
MC (5-16, 2-14. GSC) also had five players in double figures led by 16 from Thomas as the Choctaws shot 51.4 percent on 38 of 74.  MC was 7 of 18 from range, but struggled from the line going 7 of 15.  
 
VSU tallied its sixth game of 100 or more points and second-straight as the Blazers scored 110 points last Saturday at Shorter.  It also marked the second time this season VSU has scored 100 or more points in back-to-back games.