VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State displayed why it captured the regular-season championship of the Gulf South Conference on Saturday afternoon, placing six players in double-figure scoring in an 83-72 victory over the Lee men's basketball team.
The Flames battled from start to finish and cut the Blazer lead down to only six points with some two minutes remaining. However, the host club continued to pound the ball inside and march to the free throw line in posting its 24
th victory on the year against only four losses. They completed the GSC schedule at 18-3.
"Valdosta is a really good team," praised coach Bubba Smith after the loss. "They are well balanced, consistent, tough, and each player knows their role. Mike (Helfer) has done a great job with them this year."
Lee placed three players in double figures. Keevin Tyus, Rico Overall and Parker Suedekum tallied 15 points each in the loss. Tyus hit three treys and grabbed seven rebounds. Overall also had seven boards, while Suedekum was 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. He also pulled down four rebounds.
It was the final game for seniors Tyus, Jervon Johnson (7 points), Overall and Mike Kobani (6 points, 3 rebounds).
The talented Blazers were paced by Justin Simon, 15 points and seven rebounds. Beau Justice nailed three triples and countered with 13 points. Josh Lemons, Jeremiah Hill and Saadiq Muhammad pitched in with 10 markers apiece.
Carlos Beverly came off the bench to register 11 rebounds, while three of his teammates had seven boards apiece as the Blazers outrebounded Lee 49-41. They also shot 45 percent from the field and were only guilty of eight turnovers.
The Flames shot 40 percent from the field and made 9-of-26 3-pointers. They turned the basketball over 12 times. The Blazers dominated play in the paint outscoring Lee 44-26. They also had 20 points off turnovers to only 10 for Lee and registered 22 second chance points while the Flames had 12.
"I was really proud of how our team continued to compete throughout the season and even to the end today," commented Coach Smith after his Flames finished 11-17 overall and 7-15 in GSC play. "This team will be instrumental in laying the foundation of our program and culture moving forward. I will be forever grateful to our group of seniors and their willingness to change, be coachable, and set a higher standard for themselves and our program."
