VALDOSTA, Ga. – The No. 18 Valdosta State Blazers (13-2, 8-1 GSC) will take their seven game win streak to the limit this weekend, as they travel to Alabama to play Montevallo (11-4, 7-2 GSC) on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 8:30 p.m. ET followed by Auburn Montgomery (7-7, 4-5 GSC) on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 4 p.m. ET.
 
Fans can access links to live stats and audio/video streaming of this week's games at vstateblazers.com on the men's basketball schedule page.  The games also will be broadcast on the radio with Jaylan Scott having the call on 94.3 WJEM FM and www.foxsportsvaldosta.com on Thursday and then on 92.1 WDDQ FM on Saturday and www.talk921.com.   
 
In the midst of this winning streak, the Blazers defeated Union and Christian Brothers at The Complex by a combined 38 points as it was home cooking for Valdosta State. Valdosta State senior Carlos Hart averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 5.0 steals in those two wins. Hart's six steals versus Union on Thursday night was a new season high as he is the main catalyst of the Blazer defense that ranks third in the nation in steals per game. On the season, Hart is averaging 18.1 points per game on a .482/.281/.797 shooting clip. Hart is also leading the team in rebounding (6.5), assists (4.5), and steals (3.0).  Junior Lucas Brown Jr. has been quietly putting together a solid 2024-25 campaign, as the guard is averaging 8.9 PPG on a shooting clip of .407/.387/.818 off the bench for head coach Mike Helfer. Fellow newcomer Drew Mills has been effective in his 22.8 minutes per game, as the forward is averaging 14.1 PPG on an efficient .530/.421/.769 shooting clip in 12 starts.
 
As a team, the No. 18 Blazers are scoring 94 PPG which is seventh in nation entering Wednesday. VSU is shooting .461 from the field, .356 from distance, and .768 from the line on 18.3 makes per game which is 15^th nationally. On the defensive end, Valdosta State is holding opponents to 81 PPG on .453 from the field, .294 from deep, and .712 from the charity stripe. While the numbers may look high, Helfer's full court press has been giving opposing teams headaches, as the Blazers are forcing 19.8 turnovers per game on 12.5 steals per contest which is third in the nation. The turnover margin has been very wide as they are currently averaging a +8 margin per game which is also third in the nation. All of these turnovers are resulting in a lot of easy baskets in transition, as VSU is ranked second nationwide in fastbreak points at 26.73 per game.
 
On Thursday night, Valdosta State will square off with Montevallo who enter this battle third in the GSC standings and are only one game back of VSU. The Flacons are led by third year head coach Anthony Komara, who is 33-38 during his three years at UM. The Falcons are averaging 81.7 points per game on a .477/.356/.744 shooting clip. Komara's defense is allowing 76 PPG on a shooting clip of .455/.357/.744. The Flacons are positive in the rebounding margin as they are hauling in 35.4 RPG for a +3.0 margin. Individually, Montevallo is led in scoring by sophomore Brandon Fussell, who is averaging 18.5 PPG on incredible .515/.420/.830 shooting splits. Fussell gave the Blazers fits last season, as he averaged 26 PPG in two games as a true freshman against VSU. Junior Jaylen Curry is also putting together a solid season, as the forward is averaging 16.5 PPG in 15 starts while hitting a team high 35 threes on 94 attempts.
 
The Blazers will wrap up their road trip with Auburn Montgomery on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. ET. Despite their average record, the Warhawks have had some impressive wins with victories over Montevallo and West Alabama in the first half of GSC play. The Warhawks are led by head coach Michael Cheaney, who is in his 11^th season at the helm of AUM. Cheaney has accumulated a career record of 119-168 during his time with the Warhawks. Cheaney's squad is scoring 74.6 PPG on .434 from the field, .342 from deep, and .730 from the line. AUM is only averaging 11.0 turnovers per game with a +2.8 turnover margin halfway through the season. Auburn Montgomery is led by three scorers individually, as Malachi Rhodes, Chappelle Whitney, and Paul Lanzi are all averaging between 11-13.1 points per game. Rhodes is physical and like to get inside, as the forward has made 60 free throws on the year on 77 attempts for a .779 clip while hauling in 7.9 rebounds per game. Lanzi is the shooter as sophomore is 21-36 from distance this year in ten games played for a .583 clip.
 
Following the short road trip, the Blazers will host No. 5 Alabama Huntsville on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. followed by West Alabama on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. to cap off Hall of Fame Weekend.