CLEVELAND, Miss. —
Valdosta State shot just 36.4 percent from the field, and the Blazers fell 77-61 to Delta State in Gulf South Conference men’s basketball action at Sillers Coliseum Saturday afternoon.
With the loss, the Blazers fell to 17-9 overall and 9-9 in GSC play, while Delta State improved to 11-15 and 7-11.
The game remained close for the first nine minutes of play, which featured seven lead changes and three ties. Delta State eventually grabbed control of the game with a 7-0 run, a span that saw VSU miss all five of its shot attempts.
Valdosta State fought back to eventually take a 30-29 lead on a Josh Sparks lay-up with 2:26 to play in the first half, but the Statesmen answered with a Matt Albritton three-pointer on their next possession, and eventually built a 35-31 halftime lead.
Delta State opened the second half on an 18-5 run to increase its lead to double digits. After making two of its first three shots of the half, Valdosta State missed its next five shots and committed three turnovers during the span, which ended with the Statesmen holding a 53-36 lead with 14:27 to play in the game.
The Blazers closed to within 10 points two minutes later, but got no closer the remainder of the game.
Sparks led Valdosta State with 21 points. He made 8 of 11 shots and 5 of 7 free throws. However, the rest of the team made just 12 of 44 field goal attempts. Shaquille Harris also finished in double digits with 11 points.
Cornell Knight led five Statesmen in double figures with 21 points, while Terry Leake added 15 and Zelvin Smith 13. Delta State shot 49.2 percent from the floor in the game.
Local Sports
Blazers fall to Delta State
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Prince Automotive donates new baseball equipment
Prince Automotive of Valdosta is supporting the Valdosta community through its partnership with the Valdosta/Lowndes County Recreation Department. The dealership has joined forces with the national Chevrolet Youth Baseball program to provide new equipment, instructional clinics, and a monetary donation.
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Needmore holds final races before big Memorial Day weekend
Saturday night racing at Needmore Speedway saw some new faces in victory lane.
That wasn’t the case in the Late Model division, as Valdosta's Gene Ross drove to victory once again, but not without some close competition from Steven Roberts who came in second.
In the Limited Late Model class, it was another win for Cole Exum, with Gene Maine finishing second in the NAPA Auto Parts special. -
VSU softball wins South Region, headed to nationals
For the third time in four years, and second in a row, Valdosta State’s softball team will play in the national championship tournament.
The Blazers won their third South Region championship Saturday, beating Alabama-Huntsville 8-3 in game three of the best-of-three series at Steel’s Diamond at Blazer Park. -
VSU baseball season comes to an end
Delta State scored seven unanswered runs to defeat Valdosta State 7-2 in an elimination game of the NCAA South Region Tournament at the UT Baseball Field Saturday afternoon.
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Blazers take 1-0 series lead
Angela O’Connor launched a pinch-hit two-run home run over the left-field fence, tying the game against Alabama-Huntsville in the bottom of the sixth inning, and sparking the Blazers and their fans along the way.
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Blazer baseball stays alive, beats Stillman
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Lowndes’ Harwell, Wortham sign with Valdosta State
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Blazers host respected rival UAH in Super Regional
One would expect a matchup featuring two of the top softball programs in Division II to come in the national championship game.
Unfortunately for Valdosta State and Alabama-Huntsville, who have combined to appear in four straight national championship games, they won’t be meeting in title game on Memorial Day in Salem, Va. -
Pop Warner Football coming to Valdosta
Pop Warner Football is coming to Valdosta.
The nationally known organization that puts an emphasis on education and developing American youth has been established in the Valdosta area and will begin playing football this August. -
Blazers lose to Delta State, fall to loser’s bracket
If the Valdosta State baseball team is going to win the South Region Tournament, the Blazers going to have to do it from the loser’s bracket.
The Blazers (33-17) dropped their first game of the tournament Thursday, falling to Delta State 4-2 at UT Baseball Stadium.
VSU will face Stillman College, which lost to No. 1 seed and tournament host Tampa Thursday, Friday at 11 a.m. to advance to the weekend portion of the tournament. The loser will be eliminated. - More Local Sports Headlines
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