VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State Blazers host Clinton College and Trinity Baptist College for their 2023-2024 home opener at The Complex on Thursday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 18. The Blazers are entering these matchups with a 1-1 record after splitting their first two games in the GSC/SIAC Regional Challenge this past weekend up in Atlanta, hosted by Clark Atlanta.
 
Fans can access links to live stats and audio/video streaming of the game at vstateblazers.com. This game will be streamed on FloSports with Spencer Van Horn having the call, while the game also will be broadcast on 92.1 WDDQ FM with Mike Chason having the broadcast. Click here for how to purchase FloSports.
 
Valdosta State is coming off an up and down weekend, beating Fort Valley State in overtime 74-70 in the season opener on Nov 10. The Blazers had four players in double figures, with graduate student Jay Rucker leading with way with 17 points and nine rebounds. VSU had a quick turnaround, playing host Clark Atlanta the next day, falling 64-77. The Valdosta State bench was very productive, scoring 50 points over both games, as newly acquire graduate transfer Sam Martin scored 17 total points and dished out six assists from the bench over the weekend.
 
The returnees have been big for the Blazers, as they only brought back four players from last year's squad and are looking to gain more team chemistry before conference play starts on Nov. 25. Returnee Caden Boser was one of two Blazers to hit double figures against Clark Atlanta, scoring a season-high 15 points on 4-8 shooting, thanks to going 7-8 from the charity stripe. Fellow returnee Mike Isler had a great weekend, scoring 18 total points and grabbing a team high 19 rebounds off the bench over the course of two games. The senior from Albany, Ga. has been a key part of the rotation, averaging 27 minutes per game.
 
Head coach Mike Helfer is entering his 19^th season leading the Blazers, boasting a record of 350-176, finishing first in the Gulf South Conference standings five times (2016-2021) over his tenure. His squad was voted to finished fourth in the GSC Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
The first opponent the Blazers will face this weekend is the Clinton College Golden Bears from Rock Hill, South Carolina. They are a part of the National Christian College Athletic Association, which is an association of Christian universities, colleges, and bible colleges across the U.S. and Canada. Clinton College is coming into this matchup with a 4-2 record, averaging 104.2 points per game on 48.7% from the floor. The Golden Bears are bringing back senior Isaiah Stone, who is averaging 15.0 points per game and bringing in 9.8 rebounds per game
 
On Saturday, Nov. 18^th at 7 p.m., Valdosta State takes on Trinity Baptist College. TBC is also a part of the NCCAA, as the Eagles enter the Saturday night matchup with a 2-1 record as of Nov. 15. TBC is averaging 81.3 points per game on 42.5% from the floor and 30.4% from downtown. Junior guard Xavier Rose leads the team in scoring, putting up 14.7 points per game on 57.6% shooting and 40.0% from three.
 
After these two games, Valdosta State will open conference play at Lee on Nov. 25 and Shorter on Nov. 27.