VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State University men's basketball team is set to open Gulf South Conference play Saturday night, hosting West Georgia at 8 p.m. inside the Complex. Fans who attend Saturday's afternoon football game against Bowie State will get in FREE to both VSU basketball games by showing their football game ticket.

Dominating Early Week Win

The Blazers scored a dominating win at home Monday against NAIA Coastal Georgia, 118-78. VSU drained a season-high 19 three-pointers along with 45 field goals. Previously, the Blazers scored 19 three pointers during the 2018-2019 season against Brewton-Parker on November 19, 2018, and then again on December 10, 2018, against Fort Valley State.

Cam Hamilton and DJ Mitchell scored 19 points each to lead the Blazers' offense. Hamilton ended the night shooting six of nine from the field and five of eight outside the arc. He also picked up four rebounds and one assist. Mitchell went eight of 11 from the field and three of five outside the arc. He ended his night with four rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Mohamed Fofana led the Blazers in rebounds with seven while picking up 11 points in the game and five assists. Cole scored 12 points along with six rebounds and two steals.

vs. West Georgia

The Blazers and West Georgia are no strangers to each other. The game marks the 27th meeting between VSU and UWG since 2011. The Blazers hold a 16-10 record in 26 meetings, with the most recent meeting ending in a 79-75 loss in the NCAA DII Men's Basketball South Regional. Last season, the two teams faced off against each other five times, three times in the regular season and twice in the post-season.

The Wolves were picked to finish third in the annual preseason Gulf South Conference Coaches' Poll, two slots behind VSU. The team is led by Seth Brown-Carter, who has 97 points on the year and averages 16.2 points per game. Jalen Sasser leads the team in rebounds with 37 and has 64 points on the year.

From Head Coach Mike Helfer

"West Georgia is always an exciting game to play no matter where it sits on the schedule," Helfer said preparing for West Georgia. "It's a great rivalry in all sports for VSU. Coach Moore has done an excellent job of bringing West Georgia back to the top of the conference and in the region."

"I think you need to prepare for all of your games in a consistent manner and that means trying to get better and anticipate what your opponent is going to do," Helfer said on beginning conference play. "In conference games, the familiarity with each other makes it tougher on everyone because there are very few surprises."