VALDOSTA, Ga. - (Valdosta State Athletics) — The No. 5 Blazers took care of business Tuesday night with a win over West Florida by a final score of 95-83.
VSU (6-0, 6-0 Gulf South Conference) witnessed Guardian Bank Player of the Game Cam Hamilton have a career game, sinking eight three-pointers, shooting 10 of 15 from the field (.667), and finish the matchup with 29 points, all career highs for the redshirt junior.
The Argonauts (2-2, 2-2 GSC) were led by 24 points from senior Tarik Mckelphin, going 12 for 19 (.632) from the field along with 11 rebounds. The Argonauts finished with four players in the double digits for points while shooting 90 percent from the free-throw line.
The Blazers came out quick with a 9-2 lead, but the Argonauts were able to claw back and eventually tie the game up at 12. A deep three from Hamilton broke the tie but it wasn't long before both teams were back even, exchanging layups and free-throws.
Tied at 33 with less than four minutes to play, graduate transfer Travis Bianco made the crowd erupt after hitting back-to-back three-pointers to put Valdosta State up six with no turning back.
The Blazers went into the locker room on a 16-4 run to give themselves a strong 49-37 lead.
The Blazers went 19 for 38 from the field (.500) while the Argonauts shot 17 for 39 (.436), as the Blazers hit nine baskets from deep (.600).
The Blazers controlled the boards during the first half, coming down with 24 where the Argonauts only recorded 19. The Blazers took advantage of the Argonauts turnovers, scoring 12 points off the team's eight giveaways.
A trend so far this season, the Blazers big halftime lead gave it the advantage to not give up the lead or give the Argonauts the opportunity to tie the game.
West Florida did give Valdosta State some push, chipping the lead down to just eight, but senior Imoras Agee threw up a ball from beyond the arch to increase the lead to double digits once again.
From there, the Blazers hammered down and increased its lead to as much as 21 with help from one of Hamilton's three's.
Another big lead at the half was too much for its foe to keep up with, clinching the Valdosta State win over West Florida 95-83.
The Blazers outshot the Argonauts as a whole, going 37 for 72 (.514) from the field, and were attacking from beyond the arch sinking 17 threes.
The Argonauts shot 35 for 77 (.455) from the field with only four balls from deep. The Blazers saw 24 of its points came off the bench along with 44 points scored in the paint.
The Blazers took advantage of the Argonauts turnovers, scoring 22 points off of the team's 14 turnovers.
VSU is back in action against Lee Friday, Jan. 15, and Saturday, Jan. 16 at home.
