LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Junior guard Jacolbey Owens finished his 17th-straight game in double figures, and the Valdosta State University men's basketball team shot 49% from the field in its 84-74 loss to the West Alabama Tigers Sunday evening. The game marked the Blazers' sixth loss of the season as the team fell to 7-6 overall and 3-3 in Gulf South Conference play while the Tigers improved to 12-2 on the year and 5-1 in the GSC.
The Blazers started their scoring effort courtesy of a layup from junior forward Michael Cole, assisted by Owens to make the score 3-2 in favor of the Tigers. A layup and a free throw from Owens pushed the Blazers ahead of UWA, 5-3, but the Tigers continued to find points in the paint and capitalized off of free throws.
In the second half, UWA's Kortrijk Miles led the Tigers' offense, putting up 30 points along with 19 rebounds and an assist. Robert Davis led UWA in assists with five and recorded 17 points in the game. Four Tigers finished the game in double figures, including Miles, Davis, Justin Allison, and Allen Shardarrion. Only three Blazers reached double figures, including Owens, junior forward Maurice Gordon, and redshirt freshman Jeremy Golson.
Golson ended the game with a career-high 12 points and five rebounds and also recorded a steal. Gordon finished the game with 14 points, one steal and five rebounds.
The Blazers finished the game with a layup from Gordon courtesy of Owens to bring the final score to 84-74 in favor of the Tigers.
The Blazers put up 38 points in the paint for the game and had 13 points off turnovers, two fast-break points, and four second-chance points. The Blazers' bench recorded 23 points, and the team recorded a 56.3 free throw percentage going nine of 16 from the line. The Blazers had a cold night beyond the arc, sinking only seven treys in 20 attempts (35%).
The Blazers are back in action on January 8 to take on No. 22 West Florida on the road before returning home to take on Delta State on January 13 at 8 p.m. inside the Complex.
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