MEMPHIS - No. 9 Valdosta State started the game on a 13-2 run and did not look back, in a 79-61 victory over the Christian Brothers University men's basketball team, on Saturday afternoon at Canale Arena. The game marked the Gulf South Conference opener for both teams. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Blazers got off to a quick start, scoring eight unanswered points, which grew to a 13-2 scoring run in the first four minutes of the contest.
• A Daryl Lewis three pointer brought CBU within 26-21 with 4:58 left in the half, but Valdosta State responded and went into the locker room with a 38-27 lead. 
• The visitors used their strength in the paint to keep the lead at double figures for a majority of the second half. 
• Valdosta State used a 12-4 scoring run, with 1:02 left in the contest to push its lead to 79-58 ahead by 21 points.

• VSU finished the game with a 44-24 advantage in points in the paint. 
• Four of the five starters for the Blazers finished the game with double digit points.
• The Bucs were held to just 37 percent from the field (21-for-57) and 6-of-26 (23 percent) from three point range. 
• CBU was more efficient from the free throw line as it knocked down 81 percent (13-16) of their freebies. The Blazers converted just 10-of-20 from the charity stripe. 
• Nick Deifel and Malik Jones led the Bucs offense as they recorded 11 points in the contest. Deifel also finished tied for a game-high with seven rebounds. 
• The Bucs finished the game with a 41-33 advantage on the boards. 
• Lewis stuffed the stat sheet with five points, five rebounds, two steals, one block and an assist.   
• CBU held VSU to its second lowest point total of the season. 

UP NEXT:

• The Bucs remain at home, where they are scheduled to host West Florida, on Monday, Nov. 25th. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.