VALDOSTA-For the first time since Dec. 15, the VSU Blazers will head into a game following a loss, as the Blazers had their 15-game winning streak snapped last weekend by Alabama-Huntsville, 89-71.
“It is one of those things where you’re disappointed to lose the game but I think it really refocuses you,” Nick Gast, VSU assistant head coach, said. “I think you’re going to see a great response this week.”
The Blazers will look to rebound this Saturday when in-state rival West Georgia comes to the Complex for Pack the Plex night, a night in which fans are encouraged to wear black. VSU is also looking to break the attendance record of 3,419, which was set on Feb. 4 when the Blazers beat North Alabama.
“I hope for those guys (the seniors who will be honored) that it does happen,” Gast said. “Our fans have been unbelievable this year. We have just had unbelievable attendance throughout the season and it is a credit to our guys and what they have been able to do.”
The last time the Blazers and Wolves met was on Jan. 30 in Carrollton, Ga. The Blazers left with a narrow one-point victory, for the second year in a row. The game was decided within the final minutes as All-American Tyrone Curnell hit the game winner in the lane with 1:17 left. Curnell led the Blazers with 28 points while BJ Dibble added 15 rebounds in the win.
In the loss on Saturday, senior guard Ricardo Lewis left the game with a hurt ankle and has been seen walking around campus with crutches. However, according to Gast, Lewis will play on Saturday night, when all the seniors will be honored before the game.
With the VSU loss on Saturday, Arkansas Tech needs just two more region wins to secure the hosting bid of the South Region Tournament, which makes up the first three rounds of the Division II NCAA tournament.
“It would be fun to host the region but just getting to the NCAA tournament is what is important,” Gast said. “You want to be playing in March with an opportunity to win and what you say in postseason is just to survive and advance. The main thing is just getting a bid for the NCAA tournament and getting a chance to play in the big dance.”
Along with what might be the largest crowd in school history, VSU will also be revealing the newest addition to the Complex, as the athletic department has added two 6.5 feet high by 8.5 feet wide video boards. The $180,000 video boards will make their debut during the Lady Blazers game.
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