DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Behind a blistering offensive start, timely second-half answers, and five players scoring in double figures, Valdosta State men's basketball wrapped up its Thanksgiving weekend trip with an impressive 103–91 win over Embry-Riddle Saturday afternoon at the ICI Center.

The Blazers opened the game on a commanding 13–0 run, showcasing elite energy on both ends. Devon Rainey and MJ Jones sparked the early surge with back-to-back fast-break finishes, while Drew Mills and Maalik Leitch knocked down rhythm jumpers to force an Embry-Riddle timeout barely two minutes into the contest.

VSU's defense set the tone early, forcing turnovers on three straight Eagle possessions. Rainey, who finished with 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting, turned steals into immediate points, and Jones followed with his own burst — helping play downhill and forcing Embry-Riddle to chase the game the rest of the afternoon.

Peter McKey then checked in and delivered an instant spark, drilling four threes and dropping 18 points, including a deep ball at the 14:47 mark that pushed the lead back to double digits. With the bench supplying 42 total points, the depth and pace came alive.

By halftime, the Blazers had hung 61 points on the board while shooting 57.5%, taking a 13-point lead into the break.

The Eagles didn't go away quietly. Dawson Barr (20 points, 12 rebounds) fueled a 16–1 Embry-Riddle run to open the second half, briefly giving them a 63–62 lead — their first of the day.

Jones buried a transition three to reclaim the lead, Samarion Bond hammered home a dunk moments later, and McKey splashed another wing three to create separation again. That 8–0 run stabilized the Blazers, and the momentum never swung back.

Bond gave huge minutes off the bench, scoring 10 points and bringing a physical presence in the paint. Leitch added 11 points, including a big three at the 7:38 mark, stretching the lead to 19.

Every time Embry-Riddle cut it to single digits, the Blazers answered. Rainey's transition finish at 2:03 pushed the margin back to 10, and Jones sealed it at the line, knocking down four late free throws as part of his 15-point performance.

Collectively, VSU shot 50.7% from the floor and a blazing 52.2% from three, while forcing 18 turnovers and scoring 23 fast-break points.

With the program off to a strong 5–1 start, the Blazers look ahead to a key conference game later this week. The Blazers now turn their attention back home as Gulf South Conference play heats up. Valdosta State returns to The Complex on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. for a pivotal showdown with West Alabama, looking to carry its offensive rhythm and depth into league competition. With the home crowd behind them and momentum building, the Blazers will aim to make a statement as they open December with a key conference battle on their home floor.

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