VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State men's basketball team cruised by the Thomas University Night Hawks on Tuesday night at The Complex by a score of 107-62. The Blazers improved to 5-1 while this game did not count for the Night Hawks as they stayed at 4-4.
 
The Blazers passed the century mark for the third time this season, as they achieved that mark three times all of last season. As a team, VSU shot .442 from the floor, .269 from distance, and a scorching .914 from the line on 32 makes in 35 attempts. Defensively, Valdosta State held Thomas University to .308 from the floor, .207 from three, and .615 from the charity stripe. VSU turned the ball over a season-low five times as they protected the ball out of harm's way all night.
 
Individually, four Blazers scored 16 or more points, as junior guard Lucas Brown Jr. led all scorers with 20 points on 8-14 from the floor and a season-high four three pointers made on nine attempts. Senior Braxton Williams chipped in with 18 points and four rebounds on a perfect eight for eight from the line. Senior Carlos Hart recorded his second consecutive double-double, as the guard recorded 16 points and ten rebounds while snatching away three steals. Junior guard Maalik Leitch scored a season-high 16 points in his first start of the year as he went five of six from the line and tallied two steals.
 
The common theme of the night was free throws, as junior Tony Green Jr. started the night off with two from the line to put VSU ahead 2-0. Thomas University was able to take a 5-4 lead off a three pointer from Ja'Vian Baker. The Blazers responded with a 6-0 run finished off by a three-pointer from junior Peter McKey. VSU led 10-7 heading into the first media break. Out of the break, both teams were battling as TU took a 15-14 lead on a triple from Eli Curry. A second consecutive three ball from the Night Hawks grew the lead to 18-16. It continued to be a back-and-forth battle in the first half, as things were all square at 27 with 8:31 remaining in half number one.
 
Thomas University was able to take a narrow 29-28 lead that was quickly stolen by Valdosta State as a short jumper from Carlos Hart in the paint ignited a 9-0 Blazer run that was finished off by a three ball from Lucas Brown Jr. on an assist from Carlos Hart. The Night Hawks were able to cut the deficit to five, but another VSU run ended the first half with a 48-36 lead.
 
VSU started the second half just like the first, except this time senior guard Cobey Harraway chipped in two free throws to open half number two. It was all downhill for the Blazers in the second half, as their defense came alive, holding the Night Hawks to 26 second half points while VSU torched them for 59 in a 107-62 win.
 
Valdosta State is currently riding on a three-game winning streak heading into Thanksgiving Break, as they will hit the road on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. ET to take on West Alabama followed by a clash with Alabama Huntsville on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. ET to open Gulf South Conference play.