Box Score: PDF | HTML

VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State used two big runs at the end of the first half and the start of the second half to defeat West Florida, 101-85, at The Complex Saturday evening.
 
The Argonauts were in the midst of a 13-5 run that saw them turn a 6-point deficit into a 37-35 lead with 2:22 left in the first half. VSU responded with an 11-0 run to regain control of the contest before claiming a 46-38 lead at the half.
 
The Blazers' Blake Justice scored 10 points of VSU's 14-5 run to open the second 20 minutes, pushing the margin to 17 points with 16:42 left. The Argonauts worked the game to an 11-point contest just past the midway point of the period. The Blazers again answered with a big run – this time an 11-2 stretch – to put the game out of reach for UWF.
 
UWF (3-11, 2-9 Gulf South) fell despite producing its second-highest scoring and shooting game of the season. The Argos also held a sizeable margin on the glass, outrebounding the Blazers 37-22.
 
Freshman Rashaan Benson led five players in double figures with 16 points. Austin Somerfield had 15 points and eight rebounds and the inside duo of Lendward Griffin and Deangelo Legrier had 14 apiece. Legrier had 12 in the second half.
 
VSU (11-5, 7-4) shot 59 percent and had a pair of 20-plus point scorers among its lineup. Chris Longoria finished with 25 and Justice had 24, including 17 after halftime.
 
Both teams had success from outside. UWF was 8 of 18 and VSU was 12 of 24.
 
UWF will continue its 3-game road trip on Thursday with a game at North Alabama. The game will tip off at approximately 8:00 p.m. following the conclusion of the women's game which starts at 6:00 p.m.