VALDOSTA, Ga. — Valdosta State men's basketball delivered one of its most dramatic performances of the season Saturday afternoon, edging West Florida 103–100 in overtime at The Complex behind a dominant showing from
Drew Mills and clutch execution down the stretch.
The Blazers (12–8, 7–7 GSC) erased a two-point halftime deficit and survived a late West Florida rally in regulation before pulling away in the extra period to snap a tightly contested Gulf South Conference battle. The Argos dropped to 17–5 overall and 10–4 in league play.
Mills led all scorers with a career-night, pouring in 36 points on 15-of-24 shooting while adding eight rebounds in 40 minutes of action. Mills interior scoring proved critical late, including a basket that gave Valdosta State a one-point lead with just over a minute remaining in overtime.
Valdosta State trailed 41–39 at the break after West Florida used strong guard play to control the tempo early, but the Blazers responded in the second half with improved ball movement and defensive pressure. Elijah Wyche of West Florida, finished with 21 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
The game swung back and forth throughout the final minutes of regulation. Valdosta State tied the contest at 89–89 with 7.1 seconds remaining on a brilliant 3-pointer from
MJ Jones forcing overtime.
In overtime, the Blazers leaned on toughness in the paint and timely free-throw shooting. Valdosta State went 5-of-8 from the line in the extra period and got key contributions from
Blaise Wallace, who posted 17 points and 10 rebounds,
Peter McKey chipping in 14 points and four rebounds
, and
Maalik Leitch, who scored 13 points off the bench.
Defensively, Valdosta State limited West Florida to 40 percent shooting in overtime and forced critical turnovers that led to late points. The Blazers also held a 41–33 advantage on the glass and outscored the Argos 54–52 in the paint.
The Blazers will look to build on the overtime triumph when they return to conference action later next week, Thursday, February 5 versus Lee University at The Complex.
