VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State Blazers head up north to Carrollton, Ga. to face the West Georgia Wolves on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. This will be the first game of a three-game road trip to finish out the calendar year.
 
Tip for the game will be around 7:30 p.m. and fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports Valdosta 94.3 WJEM FM and simulcast on Talk 92.1 WDDQ FM with Jack Calhoun having the call of the games.  Following the game, VSU will have a week off and then close the 2023 portion of the schedule at Christian Brothers (Dec. 15) and at Union (Dec. 17).  VSU then opens the 2024 slate on Tues., Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. at The Complex versus rival West Florida.
 
Thursday's game is part of the Red Clay Rivalry Series as UWG holds a 3.0 to 2.0 lead in the series so far.  UWG has a pair of wins in both men's and women's cross country, while the teams split in volleyball and the teams tied in soccer.  VSU won 58-28 in football to pull within one point.  The Blazers won the inaugural Red Clay Rivalry Series in 2021-22, 7-4, while UWG won last season, 6.5-5.5.  This is the first of two basketball games against UWG as the teams will play again on Feb. 3, 2024, in Valdosta. 
 
The Blazers enter the matchup with a 5-3 overall record and a 2-2 record in Gulf South Conference play after defeating the Mississippi College Choctaws 77-69 on Dec. 3 at the Complex. Junior Braxton Williams scored a season-high 30 points in that matchup, shooting 11-15 from the field, 2-3 from downtown, and 6-8 from the charity stripe. The recent Coastal Alabama South transfer averaged 17.6 points per game for the week of Nov. 27, and because of that, he was named GSC Player of the Week on Dec. 5.
Valdosta State and West Georgia have faced off 31 times in their storied history, with VSU holding the slight edge with 16 wins to UWG's 15. The Wolves have won six straight against the Blazers dating back to March of 2021.
 
As for the Wolves, they are a perfect 7-0 on the season, boasting a 3-0 mark in the GSC. Most recently, they defeated Union University 78-66 on Dec. 3 in Carrollton, Ga. The offense is averaging 80.4 points per game for UWG, while they are suffocating opponents, holding them to 65.1 point per game for third best in the GSC on 38.1% from the floor and 27% from three. They are led in scoring by junior Zawdie Jackson, who is averaging 21.4 points per game and 4.9 assists per game on 52.9% from the field, 54.2% from three, and 82.9% from the stripe.
 
VSU is averaging 81.9 points per game, which is good for fifth in the conference. The Blazers are currently shooting 49.5% from the field, which is second in the conference, and shooting 37.2% from behind the arc. They are led in scoring by junior forward Cade Boser, who is averaging 14.0 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. The Eau Claire, Wisc. native is shooting 51.4% from the floor, 40% from three, and 75.9% from the free throw line.
 
Rebounding will prove to be a big factor in this game, as both teams are towards the top of the GSC in rebounding, with UWG averaging 40.0 per game which is good for second. VSU is right behind them, averaging 39.9 rebounds which has them third in the conference. Senior Lee Flenor leads the Blazers in rebounding, hauling in 7.1 per game for the season. The Miami, Fla. native is also chipping in 10.1 points per game on 56.9% from the floor.
 
Head Coach Mike Helfer is entering his 19^th year leading the Blazers, he boasts an overall record of 354-178 while coaching at VSU. Coach Helfer has coached in every Blazer basketball game versus the Wolves, holding a 16-15 record over the past 12 seasons. VSU is averaging 83.3 points against UWG in the Red Clay Rivalry Series.
 
For all stats, news, and updates on Blazer basketball, please visit vstateblazers.com.