MELBOURNE, Fla. - Valdosta State men's basketball used an efficient second half offensively and a solid defensive effort to defeat Florida Tech 69-48 Friday night at the Charles and Ruth Clemente Center. The win improves the Blazers to 1-0 on the season.
Blaise Wallace had a game high with 27 points and 12 rebounds. He shot 10-for-19 from the field, 3-for-7 from the arc and added four free throws. Jovan Palavra had 15 points and eight rebounds, while Carter Mungin chipped in 10 points going 5-for-10 from the field.
Valdosta State got off to a quick start offensively, leading 10-3. Jayson Demcher got a three off an assist from DJ Hamlett and Wallace was active on the offensive glass as well, creating a number of scoring opportunities. The Blazers kept coming at the basket with Wallace and Hamlett combining for several baskets in the paint.
Florida Tech responded with a run of baskets to keep it in the game but VSU was in control for the rest of the half. Wallace had a big one with a fast break dunk off an assist from Demcher to keep the Blazers in the lead. Palavra got a layup with just over a minute to go to put Valdosta State in at the break with a 28-21 lead.
The Blazers found another gear after the break, going 60% from the field in the second half. Wallace started the half off with a free throw and then hit a three off an assist from Chase Coleman to make it 35-23. Palavra added a layup for VSU as they continued to take advantage of the opportunities around the basket.
Florida Tech did make a push to stay in it, cutting the deficit to 10 at 43-33. Valdosta State just kept on doing what they were doing, maintaining their offensive tempo and their defensive pressure. Wallace was the main man again, scoring in transition and in the paint and then getting another three to make it 58-42. His offensive output was key in keeping the Panthers at arm's length throughout the second half.
Valdosta State's defensive effort was just as important as their offensive improvement. They held Florida Tech to 24.6% shooting from the field and 16.1% from three, with the Panthers managing just 15 made field goals on 61 attempts. VSU also dominated the rebounding with a 48-27 edge, 18 of which were offensive rebounds leading to 17 second chance points.
The Blazers were able to score in a number of different ways, with a 40-18 edge in points in the paint, 15 fast break points and 17 points off turnovers. Hamlett had four assists and two blocks while Demcher had eight rebounds and a block and Palavra recorded three steals defensively.
The Blazers are back in action on Saturday, Nov. 14Â when they take on Edward Waters in the second game of the GSC/SIAC/SSC Regional Challenge in Melbourne, Fla. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. ET.
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