JACKSON, Tenn. – The Valdosta State men's basketball team dropped a 112-86 decision at Union Saturday afternoon.  
 
VSU fell to 9-9 on the year and 5-6 in Gulf South Conference play, while Union improved to 15-4 overall and 9-2 in GSC play. The Blazers finished the game 32 of 72 from the field for a 44.4 clip, while they were 5 of 20 from beyond the arc and 17 of 25 from the line.  Juniors Jacolbey Owens and Maurice Gordon each scored 18 points, while sophomore Cam Selders added 13 points off the bench and junior Cam Hamilton chipped in 12 points.  Junior Michael Cole finished with eight points and ten rebounds.
 
The Bulldogs, who shot 54.2 percent for the game and went 39 of 72 from the floor, also were outstanding from beyond the arc connecting on 15 of 28 from deep and went 19 of 21 from the line.  Union forced 15 miscues by the Blazers and held a 24-11 lead in points off turnovers.
 
UU's Tyree Boykin scored a game-high 30 points on the evening and went 10 of 17 from the field and 7 of 11 outside the arc and 3 of 4 from the line leading four Bulldogs in double figures.  Three of the four in double figures scored 20 or more points as Nguidjol added 24 points on 8 of 12 from the field, one trey and 7 of 7 from the line, along with eight rebounds and four assists.  Justin Debuck chipped in 22 points on 8 of 15 from the field, three from deep and 3 of 3 from the line, along with six assists, while Tylandrius Parks chipped in ten points. 
 
Union used a 6-0 run early on a fast-break layup, an extra point from Boe Nguidjol and a three-pointer from Justin Debuck for a 15-8 lead with 15:02 remaining in the first half.  The Blazers pulled within 21-14 with 12:48 left in the half on a layup from sophomore DJ Mitchell, but a triple from Mikail Simmons sparked a 17-7 run for a 38-21 Bulldog lead with 8:38 left in the half.  
 
The Bulldogs built the lead to as many as 21 in the first half at 48-27 with 4:29 left, but the Blazers kept chipping away and closed the half on a 13-4 run for a 52-40 deficit at intermission.  VSU shot 47 percent in the first half on 16 of 34 and was 2 of 6 from beyond the arc, while going 6 of 9 from the line.  Union shot a blistering 19 of 35 from the field in the half and went 8 of 12 from beyond the arc for the half, while going 6 of 6 from the line.
 
Coming out of the locker room, Gordon hit a three-pointer assisted by junior forward Mohamed Fofana, marking the closest VSU would get the rest of the way for a 52-43 deficit. 
 
After Union swelled the lead to as many as 18 at 70-52 with 14:19 left, VSU, once again, had a rally and pulled within 12 on four occasions over the next four minutes as sophomore Justyn King pulled the Blazers within 78-66 with 10:12 left.  
 
From there, Union used a 12-2 run for a 90-68 score and 7:36 to play.  VSU pulled back within 18, but Union pushed the lead to a game-high 27 twice late in the contest at 105-78 and 108-81 settling for the 112-86 victory.
 
The Blazers return home to take on West Florida January 29, at 4 p.m., at The Complex, beginning a three-game home stand.
 
On the men's basketball schedule page, fans can access links to live stats, audio/video streaming, ticket information, and more at vstateblazers.com.