Box Score Cochran, Ga. – In a game that featured 16 lead changes, nine ties, and a combined 191 points, the Valdosta State men's basketball team came up just inches short Wednesday night, falling 96–95 to Middle Georgia State after a desperation three at the horn stunned the Blazers inside Morris Gym.
VSU controlled long stretches of the night—shooting a blistering 61.8% in the first half and 53.7% overall—but the Knights had an answer each time, capped by Krishen Atwal's contested right-wing three as the clock expired.
Despite the loss, the Blazers showcased an explosive, balanced offensive attack and multiple clutch moments in a contest played at playoff intensity from the opening tip.
The tone was set early as both teams opened trading haymakers.
Drew Mills caught fire immediately, scoring nine points in the first four minutes—including a transition jumper and a corner three—to give the Blazers early momentum. From there, the VSU bench swung the game with energy and aggression.
Samarion Bond delivered a spark, throwing down back-to-back dunks—one off a steal from
Jose Cuello—to give the Blazers their largest lead of the half, 21–16.
Ethan Pires buried a three and added four quick points off the bench, while
Maalik Leitch and McKey both converted transition layups as VSU surged ahead.
Still, Middle Georgia State countered behind Atwal and Greg Jones, keeping the margin tight.
With under a minute to play,
Peter McKey knocked down two free throws and
MJ Jones added a free throw with under a second remaining, sending VSU into the locker room up 54–51.
The second half unfolded just like the first: physical, fast, and razor tight.
Devon Rainey opened the period with a deep three to push the Blazers ahead by six, but MGSU's Greg Jones repeatedly answered with finishes at the rim. For every VSU push—like a crafty
MJ Jones layup, a strong
Blaise Wallace finish, or a Rainey pull-up—the Knights continued to close the gap behind Atwal and OT Delancy.
A key mid-half stretch saw the Blazers reclaim the lead. Mills hit a short jumper, Rainey buried another mid-range bucket, and Wallace continued to control the paint with a series of tough finishes. Wallace—who posted a team-high 20 points and 11 rebounds—seemed to will VSU back in front each time MGSU snatched momentum.
From the 5-minute mark onward, the game turned into pure clutch basketball.
Down 87–89 with 2:13 remaining, Mills powered in a strong layup to pull VSU within two. Wallace knocked down two pressure free throws at 1:10, trimming the deficit to 91–89.
Then, with the Blazers trailing 91–88 with 41 seconds to go, the moment belonged to
MJ Jones.
The sophomore guard rose up confidently from the left wing and drilled a cold-blooded transition three to give VSU a 92–91 lead, sending the Blazer bench into a frenzy.
After Delancy finished inside to push MGSU back ahead 93–92, Jones again delivered. With five seconds remaining, after fighting through traffic following a block, he muscled in a go-ahead layup to give VSU a 94–93 advantage.
Off a sideline inbounds with two seconds left, Atwal curled to the right wing, fading to his left, and hoisted a contested three that splashed through as the horn sounded. A technical free throw after the celebration extended the final margin to 96–95.
With the sting of a one-point loss still fresh, the Blazers won't have to wait long for another shot at Middle Georgia State. Valdosta State and the Knights are set to meet again on November 24th at 7 p.m. inside the Complex, where the Blazers will look to flip the script in front of their home crowd. After Wednesday night's thriller, the rematch promises to bring the same intensity, urgency, and fire—this time with VSU aiming to close the deal on its home floor.
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