VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State Blazers are taking on in-state rival and nationally ranked West Georgia in one last matchup of the Red Clay Rivalry before the Wolves join the ranks of DI. The Blazers are entering this matchup with an 8-12 record and are 5-11 in GSC play. The eighth ranked Wolves are entering Titletown in first place in the GSC with an overall record of 18-2 and are 14-2 in GSC games. Earlier this season, UWG defended home court against VSU in a 97-74 win as senior guard Camron Donatlan dropped a season high 36 points for West Georgia on a blistering 15-23 from the floor and 6-11 from downtown. On the Valdosta State side, junior Caden Boser led the way with 17 points and five rebounds on 7-14 from the floor. Overall, the all-time series is all knotted up at 16 wins apiece, with West Georgia having won the last seven games in a row, including three straight in Valdosta.
 
Last weekend, the Blazers picked up a road win and lost in a closely contested contest on Saturday. On Jan. 25, Valdosta State was looking to avenge a home loss to Delta State and steal one on the road. Senior Lee Flenor led VSU in scoring with 15 points on 7-8 from the floor. The Gulf South Conference leader in rebounds continued his dominance in the paint as he corralled nine boards on the night. Graduate student Jay Rucker was a menace on both ends of the floor for VSU, scoring 10 points on 4-5 shooting and tied a career high four blocks as he kept DSU out of the paint. The Blazers turned nine Statesmen turnovers into 16 points as they took advantage of everything that was given to them. In the interior, Valdosta State played bully ball against Delta State, outscoring them 50-20 down on the low block in a 78-71 victory.
 
On Saturday, Jan. 27, VSU trailed by as many 20 points and were able to cut the deficit to two points with seven seconds remaining, but a turnover doomed Valdosta State, as they dropped the second game of the road trip versus Mississippi College, 83-79. For the game, Lee Flenor recorded his third double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and bringing in 11 rebounds. Graduate student LaTrell Tate continued his strong play, scoring 16 points and dishing out six assists with no turnovers, as he finished the weekend with a 13:1 assist to turnover ratio. Junior Caden Boser scored a team high 19 points on 7-8 from the floor and a perfect 4-4 from three.
 
For the season, the Blazers are averaging 76.1 points per contest under head coach Mike Helfer, who is in his 19^th season at the helm of VSU, holding a record of 357-187 since coming to Valdosta State. VSU is ranked 18^th in the country in free throw attempts per game, averaging 24.5 attempts. They are shooting .655 combined as a team. Individually, the Blazers are spread out in scoring, with four averaging double figures. Boser leads the way with 13.6 points per game and a team high 34 three pointers made on a .415 clip. Right behind Boser is LaTrell Tate, who has had a strong four game stretch, averaging 18.3 points on .545 from the field and .571 from downtown. He has also been in the passing lanes, recording six steals.
 
For the Wolves, they are led by head coach Dave Moore in his sixth season at the helm of the West Georgia men's basketball team. Moore's squad is entering Titletown on a nine-game win streak and he holds an overall record of 94-64. Moore's defense has been stellar this year, holding opponents to 69.7 points per contest and a nation leading .385 opponent field goal percentage. On offense, West Georgia is led in scoring by junior guard Zawdie Jackson. The Stone Mountain, Ga. native is averaging 22.0 PPG, good for second in the GSC.
 
The Blazers and the Wolves have matched up 32 times over the past 13 years. The all-time series is currently knotted up at 16 wins apiece. West Georgia is currently on a seven-game win streak versus Valdosta State, with four of those wins coming in Titletown.
 
Up next, VSU will continue their homestand into next week, hosting Christian Brothers on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. followed by Union on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m.