Men's Basketball 2/22/2019 9:00:00 AM

Men’s Hoops Preview: VSU, Senior Day and the GSC Crown

What
West Alabama hosts Valdosta State for Gulf South Conference Men's Basketball action.

When
Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at 4 p.m.

Where
Pruitt Hall Gymnasium on the UWA campus in Livingston, Alabama.

Game Links
Audio – Video – Live Stats

West Alabama
The Tigers are 20-5 and 15-3 in league competition. UWA is riding an 11-game winning streak and boast an 11-2 home record.

Valdosta State
The Blazers are 21-5 overall and 14-4 in the GSC. The Blazers are on a seven-game winning streak of their own after defeating West Florida Thursday night. VSU is 8-3 on the road.

Rankings
UWA is #5 in the first NCAA South Regional ranking for this season while VSU is #6. In the D2SIDA poll, the Tigers are ranked #20 while the Blazers received votes. Finally, in the coaches' poll it was Valdosta State at the #24 spot and West Alabama receiving votes.

The Stakes
West Alabama would clinch the Gulf South Conference regular season crown outright and the top seed in the GSC Championship Tournament with a win over the Blazers. Valdosta State can clinch a share of the GSC title and an inside track to the top seed with a win over UWA.

Last Meeting
Valdosta State overcame an 18-point halftime deficit to defeat the Tigers 78-75 thanks to a buzzer beater three from Beau Justice back on Jan. 5. Four Tigers reached double figures as Josh Fleming scored 19 points, Darron Johnson had 15, LaJuan Hardy reached 14 points with eight assists and Tyrus Grayson scored 12 points. Clay Guillozet scored 26 and Justice added 18 points with 16 coming in the second half.

Senior Day
UWA will honor the five senior members of the 2018-19 squad. Being honored will be Acie Vance, Josh Fleming, Jake Jobling, Tavaras Tolliver and Charles Tripp.

UCS Day
All University Charter School students wearing something that has "UCS" on it to the games that day will be admitted free. Admission for parents is $5. A free ticket to the game will also be sent home with all UCS students later this week, just in case the UCS gear need laundering.

Stat Leaders

UWA
Scoring – Josh Fleming (13.5), LaJuan Hardy (13.2)
Rebounding – Ricky Dunnaway (6.5), DeAndre Harper (6.3)
Assists – LaJuan Hardy (5.4)

VSU
Scoring – Beau Justice (21.8), Morgan Winston (13.8), Clay Guillozet (13.2) and Darrell Jones (10.8)
Rebounding – Clay Guillozet (6.6)
Assists – Desmond DeRamus (4.5)

For full view of UWA team stats, click HERE. For VSU, Click HERE

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#14 Josh Fleming: G; 5' 9"; Senior

#15 Deandre Harper: F; 6' 7"; Junior

#21 Jake Jobling: G; 6' 2"; Senior

#24 Charles Tripp: F; 6' 8"; Senior

#5 Acie Vance: G; 6' 2"; Senior

#23 Ricky Dunnaway: F; 6' 8"; Junior

#1 LaJuan Hardy: G; 5' 11"; Junior

#22 Tavaras Tolliver: G; 5' 11"; Senior

#11 Darron Johnson: G; 6' 2"; Junior

#10 Tyrus Grayson: F; 6' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#14 Josh Fleming
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

#15 Deandre Harper
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F

#21 Jake Jobling
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G

#24 Charles Tripp
: 6' 8"; Senior
: F

#5 Acie Vance
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G

#23 Ricky Dunnaway
: 6' 8"; Junior
: F

#1 LaJuan Hardy
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G

#22 Tavaras Tolliver
: 5' 11"; Senior
: G

#11 Darron Johnson
: 6' 2"; Junior
: G

#10 Tyrus Grayson
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F