MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The No. 20 Blazers bounced back from Friday's loss with a win Saturday evening over Montevallo by a final score of 79-73.
 
Today's win gives Blazer head coach Mike Helfer his 499th career win over the span of his 24 years of coaching. Currently, Helfer holds a record of 313-145 at the helm of the Blazers in his 16th year. Helfer hit the 300-win mark as the Blazers head coach last season with an 80-66 win over West Florida on Feb. 27, 2020.
 
VSU (10-4, 10-4 Gulf South Conference) saw Guardian Bank Player of the Game Burke Putnam seal the game with his free throws as time was winding down to secure the Blazer win. The senior dropped 12 points, shooting four for 11 (.364) from the field with one ball from deep. He brought down four rebounds along with dishing out three assists. Jakari Gallon, Cam Hamilton, Matt Treacy, and Jacolbey Owens all finished in double figures.
 
The Falcons (4-3, 4-3 GSC) were led by 17 points from junior guard James McNeil who shot five for 13 from the field (.384). The Falcons finished with four players in the double digits for points while shooting 81% from the free throw line.
 
Owens got the scoring started for both sides with an easy layup during the Blazer's first possession, to which the Falcons answered with a three of its own giving Montevallo its only lead in the half and the game. Maurice Gordon was able to make a free throw to knot it up at three and the Blazers made sure it wasn't going to plat from behind for the next 17 minutes. Gallon got in on the action, making a jumper as well as tacking on two free throws before the Falcons were able to get two more points on the board. The Falcons were able to cut its deficit to just one halfway through the half at 17-16 but Treacy sank his second deep ball of the game to squash any lead the Falcons were looking for. A few possessions later, after a three ball from the Falcons, the Blazers went on to outscore the Falcons 13-3 with help all around from the Blazer offense. Jeremy Golson made a three of his own while Gordon was able to tack on two more points as the clock hit zero to put the Blazers up 13 going into the locker room.
 
The Blazers led at the half but were barely outshot by the Falcons in the first half, going 14 for 41 from the field (.341) where the Falcons shot 10 for 29 (.345). Montevallo also had the edge in three-pointers, going five for 15 (.333) from deep compared to the Blazers who went five for 19 (.263) from beyond the arch. The Blazers dominated the boards, coming off the glass with 32 rebounds and more offensive rebounds (16) than Montevallo's total (15). The Blazers controlled the first half, maintaining its lead for 17:34 minutes and having as large of a lead as 14.
 
The Falcons were able to cut it close to make its deficit just 10 but Owens was able to make back to 13 with a three ball. Putnam got in on the scoring along with Treacy to add on to his total to help the Blazers get a comfortable with a little more than halfway to play. A 12-point game with 10:44 left to play, the Blazers went on a little run to increase its score to 70-52 with eight minutes remaining. A steal and a layup from the Falcons got the ball rolling in the wrong direction for the Blazers as the Falcons were able to play lockdown defense and barely miss a shot, going on an 18-4 and bring its deficit to just four with 1:12 left to play. Gordon was able to slam down a dunk to bring the momentum on the Blazers side, but a turnover and a three ball from the Falcons made it just a one possession game with :12 left to play. Putnam sealed the deal with a good free throw during the next possession to give the Blazers the bounce back win 79-73.
 
The Blazers outshot the Falcons, going 28 for 67 (.418) from the field while sinking 10 threes, while the Falcons shot 25 for 62 (.403) with 10 deep balls. The Blazers saw the charity stripe 19 times and made 13 baskets (.684) and finished with an advantage on the boards, coming down with 44 opposed to the Falcons 37. VSU saw 44 of its points come off the bench along with 34 coming inside the paint.
 
VSU returns home to play its last regular season home series against Auburn Montgomery Friday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. Fans can access links to live stats, audio/video streaming, ticket information and more at vstateblazers.com on the men's basketball schedule page.