VALDOSTA, Ga. – UWF men's basketball dropped its first GSC game of 2019 77-58 at The Complex vs. the No. 9 Valdosta State Blazers Thursday despite a 20-point effort from Rashaan Benson. Henri Ventoniemi recorded his second straight double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
"I thought we executed well, had some great looks, but the shots just didn't go down tonight.  And, in the second half they made some tough shots to open up the game," said UWF head coach Jeff Burkhamer. "Our effort was good and we continue to get better. Benson had a good game and Ventoniemi and Brown did some good things."
 
Benson scored 10 points in the first, but the Argos went to the locker room down 39-27. Ventoniemi added eight points and six boards in the game's first 20 minutes.
 
Jon Brown shot 4-of-7 from the field in the second to finish with 12 points and four rebounds. The redshirt freshman has now scored in double figures in five straight games and nine times in 13 overall games this year.
 
The No. 9 Blazers (11-2, 4-1 GSC) were led by Beau Justice, who scored 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field and 5-of-5 shooting from the line. He also grabbed eight rebounds and passed out three assists.
 
Benson added three assists to his 20 points. Ventoniemi and Brett Carter Jr. each tallied two assists as well.

UWF (4-9, 0-5 GSC) returns home Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. tip vs. Montevallo (6-9, 2-3 GSC). The game will be part of Boy Scout Day at the UWF Field House.

For the latest on UWF men's basketball, follow the program on Twitter @UWFMensBBall.