Box Score VALDOSTA, Ga.—Host Valdosta State shot 50 percent from the floor as they claimed a 68-60 win over the Christian Brothers University Bucs Thursday night in Gulf South Conference action.

After a back-and-forth first half, the Blazers (11-5, 3-5 GSC) used an 8-0 run bridging the halftime break to take the lead for good, claiming a 34-27 edge on a James Anacreon jumper 24 seconds into the second half.  The Bucs (10-6, 5-3) stayed within single digits until the final minutes, when VSU scored seven straight points to open a 68-56 lead on four straight Patrick Diop free throws with 1:36 remaining.

Sidy Sall (Dakar, Senegal/Seeds Academy) paced the Bucs with game-highs of 17 points and nine rebounds.  Michael Drake (Little Rock, Ark./Catholic HS) scored 12, while Ryan Fleming (Cincinnati, Ohio/La Salle HS) added 11 with eight rebounds.

Patrick Diop led the Blazers with 17 points, five assists, and four steals, and David Murray added 12.

The Blazers shot 50 percent (26-of-52) from the floor to the Bucs' 41.8 percent (23-of-55).  The Bucs out-rebounded VSU 34-30, including an 18-13 edge in offensive boards, but they committed 18 turnovers to VSU's 14.

The Bucs wrap up the first half of their GSC schedule Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. as they visit West Florida.  Their next home game is Saturday, Feb. 2, at 4 p.m. against Delta State.