Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta State junior Drew Maynard drives to the basket during the first half of Thursday’s game versus Shaw. Maynard recorded 11 points in VSU’s 80-76 loss.

The Valdosta State men’s basketball team’s second half rally fell short Thursday night, as the Blazers fell to the Shaw Bears 80-76 in the Loop Pizza Grill Classic at the P.E. Complex.

“Well, we played hard, but I think there was a moment there where we realized we needed to play harder,” Valdosta State head coach Mike Helfer said.

The Blazers’ second half rally started after falling into a double-digit deficit midway through the second half. The Blazers were able to cut their deficit within single digits on multiple occasions, including inside the final minute.

“That is how we are,” Helfer said. “We are up and down. We have to get it figured out. Shaw is a good team and they have experienced players.”

The Blazers managed to bring the game within one possession on a Mike Holloway 3-pointer with 26.6 seconds remaining. Holloway’s long ball cut the Shaw lead to 74-72. Following a jump ball, which sent possession into the Bears’ favor, Shaw managed a quick basket to go back up by four, 76-72.

On the very next possession, VSU’s Sidney Harris was sent to the line, as the Blazers were in the double bonus. Harris connected on both free throws, cutting the deficit back to two points, 76-74.

After both teams exchanged free throws, making the score 78-76, Shaw iced the game with two more from the charity stripe, securing the victory.

Guard Michael Panaggio started the Blazers’ second half rally, accounting for eight straight points at one time. From there, the Blazers kept pace with the Bears, continuing to eat away at the lead until the final minute.

Four Blazers finished the night in double figures. Guard Tristan Steele led the way with 14 points. Panaggio added 13 points in the loss for VSU, while Drew Maynard and Sidney Harris each added 11 points.

“Kids stepped up and made some plays when we had to have them,” Helfer said. “We made a good run, but give Shaw some credit, they closed the game out like they wanted.”

Alvin Malik led the way for Shaw, finishing the night with 22 points. Three other Bear players also finished the night in double figures.

The Blazers struggled from the free throw line in the opening half, making just four of 10 from the line at one point, and finishing the half 6 of 12. Shaw, on the other hand, was better, making key free throws, especially late. The Bears finished the game 16 of 23 from the charity stripe. Valdosta State was much improved in the second half at the free throw line, connecting on 16 of their 19 attempts. Sidney Harris was an impressive 9 of 10 from the line.

Valdosta State also struggled from the floor in the first half, shooting just 29 percent. Shaw wasn’t much better, shooting just 33 percent. With both teams struggling throughout the half, the score remained close, although Shaw led the majority of the way.

Valdosta State managed to keep the score close, especially at the end of the half, when the Blazers found themselves down just one point in the closing seconds. That was until Shaw’s Devon McLendon nailed a 3-pointer off the glass, beating the buzzer to the end of the half, giving Shaw a 28-24 advantage at intermission.

The Blazers welcome Florida Memorial to the P.E. Complex tonight.