Box Score MEMPHIS—Junior forward Pat Graham (Bowling Green, Ohio, Bowling Green HS) knocked down three straight three-pointers to put the No. 10 Christian Brothers University Bucs ahead for good midway through the second half in a 62-50 win over Valdosta State, keeping the Bucs in first place in the Gulf South Conference.

After the Bucs (17-3, 8-1 GSC) fell behind 10-5 early, they pounded the ball inside to Zack Warner (St. Louis, Mo./Clayton HS), who scored the first nine points of a 14-5 run that put the Bucs ahead 19-15 on a Graham triple with 8:10 remaining in the first half.

After the Blazers (9-11, 2-7) took their final lead of the game, 40-38, on a Chris Rozier putback layup with 11:40 remaining, Graham took over for the Bucs.  First, Warner found him open for a three off the Bucs' press-break to regain the lead for good.  Then, Scott Dennis (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore HS) fed Graham for another three.  Finally, coming out of a timeout, Trey Casey (Cincinnati, Ohio/La Salle HS) found him for a third three-pointer with 9:27 remaining in the game, giving the Bucs a 47-40 lead they would not relinquish, as they never allowed VSU closer than three points again.

Dennis posted game-highs of 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Warner scored 15 with nine rebounds.  Graham scored 14.

Sidney Harris led the Blazers with 13 points, and Josh Sparks added 12.

The Bucs shot 41.7 percent (20-of-48) for the game, including 30 percent (9-of-30) from three-point range.  They held the Blazers to 35.1 percent (20-of-57) overall and 25 percent (3-of-12) from three-point range.  VSU out-rebounded the Bucs 37-31, including a 13-7 edge in offensive rebounds, but the Bucs forced 12 turnovers while committing eight.

The Bucs hit the road for the first of three straight road games Thursday night at 7:30 when they visit West Alabama.  Their next home game is set for Sunday afternoon, Feb. 19, at 4 p.m. against No. 6 Alabama-Huntsville.