VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State men's basketball team is set to host the West Florida Argonauts Saturday at 4 p.m. inside The Complex. 
 
Saturday's contest is the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers game. This nationwide event unites basketball coaches, players, and communities representing college and high school programs across the country for a common cause - saving lives from cancer. Head coach Mike Helfer and his coaching staff, along with UWF's staff, will wear suits and their choice of sneakers to raise awareness for cancer. 
 
The Blazers enter the game with a 9-9 record and a 5-6 mark in the Gulf South Conference. The Argos, who sit second in the GSC standings, enter at a 15-4 record overall and 9-3 in the GSC. 
 
VSU is coming off a pair of losses, an 81-74 loss at Christian Brothers on January 20, and a 112-86 loss at conference-leader Union on January 22. In the game against Christian Brothers, junior guard Jacolbey Owens recorded a team-high 23 points, while junior forward Michael Cole and junior forward Gordon also finished in double-figures, putting up 15 and 14 points, respectfully. Sophomore guard Cam Selders added five assists on the night, while Cole pulled down six rebounds in 29 minutes of action.
 
Against Union, the Blazers finished the game 32 of 72 from the field for a 44.4 clip, while going 5 of 20 from beyond the arc and 17 of 25 from the line.  Owens and Gordon each scored 18 points, while Selders added 13 points off the bench and junior Cam Hamilton chipped in 12 points. Cole finished with eight points and ten rebounds.
 
Owens currently sits seventh in the GSC in scoring, averaging 15.4 points per game, and fifth in the league in assists with 68 on the season and averages 3.8 per game. Cole sits in third in the league for rebounding, averaging 7.8 per game. 
 
Previously this year, the Argos defeated the Blazers in a 99-97 overtime battle on January 8, in Pensacola, Fla. Head coach Jeff Burkhamer, in his seventh season for the Argos, clinched his 100th career win during the game and the victory also marked the first time that UWF had beaten Valdosta State in seven meetings since the 2018 season. 
 
Daniel Sofield leads the Argo's scoring efforts, averaging 16.7 points per game. In the conference, Sofield has the highest three-point field goal percentage and fourth highest field goal percentage. Wendell Matthews is the second leading scorer, averaging 12.6 points per game. Matthews has the highest rebound average on the team with 6.8 and has three double doubles this season. 
 
After Saturday's contest, the Blazers continue at home with Alabama Huntsville on February 3 at 8 p.m., and then battle West Alabama on February 5 at 4 p.m.