VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University (10-6, 2-3) men’s basketball went down to the wire with Alabama-Huntsville (14-2, 3-1), but let the Chargers escape with a 61-59 victory on Tuesday. With the loss, the Blazers stay at fifth place in the GSC eastern conference.

“We just turned the ball over too much,” said head coach Mike Helfer after the game. “It’s very disappointing, very frustrating.”

The Blazers opened the game with a three-pointer by J.T Thomas, but the Chargers would answer right back with a three-pointer. Jon Rogers and company were able to jump out to a 10-5 lead, but it would be short lived.

UAH hit two three-point shots in a row and took the lead 11-10, with 14:01 left in the half.

Thomas then hit a lay-up and free throw to take the lead back and start a 9-0 run that lasted over two and a half minutes. UAH had the answer, however, and with 1:36 left in the half the Chargers took back the lead on a three-pointer by Micah delaRosa.

After a free throw by Rogers, UAH hit a three-pointer and thought they would go into the half with the lead, but enter Mike Crain. With three seconds left, Crain hit a beautiful three-pointer and tied the game up at 27 apiece.

In the second half, both teams had trouble finding the basket early. When either team did score, the lead would change until, with 14:33 left to play, UAH sunk a long range shot and held on to the lead for eight minutes.

With seven minutes to play Crain hit a fade away jumper to pull within two, then launched a three to take the lead with 6:04 to play 51-50.

The teams would exchange leads for another two minutes, but then with 1:12 UAH took the lead, never to give it back. Hope shined in though.

With 16.1 left to play Herman Burge hit two free-throws to pull the Blazers within two points and with eight seconds to play the Blazers got the ball and called the time-out. Crain took the inbound pass and went baseline only to fall short on the buzzer shot.Two Blazers had double-doubles on the night. Thomas had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Rogers had 13 points and 10 rebounds. Crain had 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field.

UAH guard Jason Smith scored 19 points and Graham Aderholt scored 17 points for the Chargers.

“We have regroup and fix things before West Alabama,” said Helfer.

The Blazers will host West Alabama on Saturday with tip-off set to be at 6 p.m.