Tigers and Blazers Set for GSC Tourney Semifinals

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's basketball team and the Valdosta State Blazers are preparing to clash in the semifinals of the Gulf South Conference Championship Tournament Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Pete Hanna Center on the campus of Samford University.

AUDIO – VIDEO – LIVE STATS – TICKETS – ARENA MAP

General admission tickets cost $12 and are good for daily admission for the Semifinals on Saturday, March 7 or the Championship Games on Sunday, March 8. Student tickets are $5 (valid ID required) and can only be purchased at the Pete Hanna Center box office inside the arena. Admission is free for Children 5 years and younger. Fans can save $2 by pre-purchasing a $10 adult ticket before 5:00 p.m. CT on Friday, March 6.

Aubrey Elmore will have the call on ESPN 104.9 Saturday night. The game will also be available for streaming on the Watch ESPN streaming platform.

UWA (22-7) and VSU (25-3) are facing each other for the third time this season with the Blazers winning both contests. The first came in Pruitt Hall Gymnasium with Valdosta State grabbing a 69-59 victory.

Darron Johnson led UWA with 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the floor, connection on both free throws and added two assists and a rebound. Ricky Dunnaway scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds. Mike Davis finished with his first double double as a Tiger with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Four Blazers finished in double figures led by 19 points and seven rebounds from Darrell Jones. Burke Putnam put up 12 points while Imoras Agee and Bryce Smith both scored 10. Clay Guilozet led the squad on the boards with 10 rebounds.

On Feb. 22, VSU grabbed a 75-67 win at home over the Tigers. The lead changed hands 18 times and was tied on eight separate occasions during the contest with nine lead changes and four separate ties in the second half.

Ricky Dunnaway led the team with 18 points along with seven rebounds and two assists. LaJuan Hardy had 16 points and a team leading eight rebounds along with six steals and three assists. Darron Johnson added 12 points, an assist and a steal.

Clay Guillozet scored 18 to lead VSU while Bryce Smith and Imoras Agee scored 16 points each and Darrell Jones added 13 points.

This will be the fifth matchup between the two teams in two years with both trying to reach the championship game after losing in the semifinals last season. The Blazers lost to eventual tournament winner Delta State and West Alabama lost to Alabama Huntsville.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#0 Mike Davis: F; 6' 7"; Senior

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#0 Mike Davis
: 6' 7"; Senior
: F