VALDOSTA, Ga. – Following two wins last week, the VSU Blazer basketball team looks to keep momentum rolling as they host Thomas University on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at The Complex.
 
Fans can access links to live stats, audio/video streaming, ticket information and more at vstateblazers.com on the men's basketball schedule page.  The game will be broadcast on Talk 92.1 WDDQ FM and online at talk921.com with Mike Chason having the call.
 
The Blazers enter the final non-conference matchup with a 4-1 overall record while the Night Hawks travel to Valdosta with a record of 4-4. The two programs have squared off one time prior to Tuesday's matchup, as VSU came up with a 98-64 win back on Dec. 19, 2019.
 
Following a win versus Middle Georgia and road win at Morehouse College, the Blazers are starting to build confidence as they wrap up non-conference play. Offensively, Valdosta State is led by the guard duo of senior Braxton Williams and Carlos Hart. The tandem is combining for 36.8 points a night while ranked fourth and fifth in the GSC in scoring individually. Williams currently leads the team in total three-pointers made with 14 and 2.8 per game, good for fourth in the Gulf South Conference. Senior Carlos Hart has been a stat-stuffer all season long, as the recent transfer is fourth in the league in assists (5.2), second in steals (2.6), ninth in rebounding (6.8), and fifth in scoring (18.2). Hart has been aggressive getting to the charity stripe, as he is currently ranked second in the nation in free throws made and attempted, going 47 for 58 for a .810 clip early-on.
 
As a team, VSU is averaging 95.6 points per game which is first in the GSC and 11^th nationally. Forcing turnovers has been head coach Mike Helfer's bread and butter so far, as the Blazers are averaging 14.2 steals per game and 22.8 turnovers forced per game. Both are tops in the GSC and fifth nationally. They have a great turnover margin to go along with that, as their margin is currently 9.0, which is ranked fifth nationally as well. As a result of the forced turnovers, Valdosta State loves running the break as they average 35.0 fastbreak points per night, good for second in the nation.
 
Thomas University enters Titletown with a record of 4-4 following a loss versus Dalton State College on Saturday afternoon. The Night Hawks are a part of the Southern States Conference in the NAIA just like Middle Georgia State University last week. TU is led by head coach Colin Cotter, who is a Valdosta State alum and played for coach Helfer for one season in 2015-16. Cotter enters his third season as the head coach following assistant coach stops at Reinhardt, Andrew (Ga.), and Clark Atlanta. Cotter's offense is averaging 82.5 points per game while allowing 77.1. The Night Hawks are shooting .469 from the floor as a team while making a third of their three pointers for a .333 clip. Individually, TU is well-rounded in scoring with four players averaging nine points per game or more. They are led in scoring by junior point guard Joshua Robertson, who is putting up 12.5 PPG on a .429/.393/.778 clip. Robertson also leads the team in assists and steals with 28 totals assists and nine total steals.
 
Following Tuesday night's matchup, the Blazes will get a little bit of a break before the open conference play on the road as they head to Alabama to take on West Alabama on Thursday, Dec. 5 followed by Alabama Huntsville on Saturday, Dec. 7. VSU returns to the Complex to host West Florida on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.