VSU turns the tables on CBU in second half to punch ticket to title game
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Valdosta State Blazers advanced to their first Gulf South Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship with a 90-80 win over the Christian Brothers Buccaneers on Saturday evening.
The game was a tale of two halves. Christian Brothers led for all but two minutes of the first half, creating as much as an 11-point deficit between them and the Blazers. CBU carried a one-point lead going into halftime, but the roles were reversed in the last 20 minutes. VSU dominated the last 20 minutes, going on an 11-2 run to start the half. The Blazers never looked back and punched their ticket to Sunday’s title game.
BY THE NUMBERS
| GAME SCORING |
1 |
2 |
Total |
| Christian Brothers (18-12) |
40 |
40 |
80 |
| Valdosta State (26-4) |
39 |
51 |
90 |
| GAME LEADERS |
CBU |
VSU |
| Points |
Larkin - 30 |
J. Hill - 28 |
| Rebounds |
Dieball - 7 |
Hill - 11 |
| Assists |
Dieball - 8 |
Lemons - 7 |
KEY MOMENTS
- A Josh Lemons jumper gave VSU early in the second half, and a Saadiq Muhammad slam dunk followed it to give the momentum to the Blazers.
NOTABLE
- CBU’s Jeff Larkin led all scorers with 30 points, hitting five three-pointers and shooting 50% from the field.
- Valdosta State’s Jeremiah Hill recorded a double-double with 28 points and 11 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Valdosta State will face the winner of Alabama Huntsville and Delta State on Sunday, March 5.