ROME, Ga. – Redshirt junior Cam Hamilton and sophomore guard Cam Selders combined for 32 points as the Valdosta State men's basketball team defeated the Shorter Hawks 85-70 Saturday afternoon on the road. The Blazers ended a two-game losing streak and improved to 5-4 on the year, 1-1 in the Gulf South Conference, while the Hawks fell to 3-4 and 0-2 in GSC play.
The Blazers shot 32 of 63 during the game and six of 19 outside the arc. Hamilton and Selders led the team with 16 points each. Hamilton picked up his first double-double of the season, went six of 11 from the field, and picked up ten rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Selders, who had a season-high 16 points, went seven of nine from the field and picked up five rebounds, one assist, one block, and two steals.
The Blazers had a 50% field goal percentage in the first half, sinking 18 shots in 36 attempts. The Hawks got off to a strong start, building an 11-point lead in the first half. A made layup from Selders, courtesy of Hamilton, with seven minutes to play in the first half pulled the Blazers within one. A made layup downtown by junior forward Maurice Gordon from Mohamed Fofana pushed the Blazers ahead of Shorter, 27-26. VSU entered the locker room at the half with a 44-36 advantage over the Hawks.
Gordon finished the game with six points, two rebounds and a block. Fofana finished the game with seven rebounds, six points, two assists and one steal. Redshirt freshman Jeremy Golson led the team in three-pointers, sinking three of seven outside the arc and picking up four steals, one assist, and nine points.
For the Hawks, Raphael Houssou led the team with eighteen points, while Jaden Dunham led the team in rebounds with seven. Grant Atchley was the second-highest scorer with 14 points and also picked up an assist.
The second half saw the Blazers shoot 14 of 27 from the field. VSU picked up eight offensive rebounds and recorded nine second-chance points. The Blazers led the entire second half and built their biggest lead of the match, 80-60, with four minutes left to play from a made free throw by Michael Cole. Selders put an exclamation on the night with a made layup to bring the final scoreline to 85-70 in favor of VSU.
On Monday, the Blazers are back in action on the road against Lee at 8 p.m. For live stats, live streaming, and information on Blazer hoops, visit vstateblazers.com.
