Valdosta State head coach Mike Helfer was more than pleased with his team’s effort Thursday night.

And he has every reason to be after a blowout 88-55 victory over foe West Georgia in the P.E. Complex, which completes the regular season sweep.  

“We didn’t talk about it but our kids know, and you can see our student section and our fans,” Helfer said. “I mean they were just more into the game than maybe a regular game, because it is West Georgia. And it’s the same way when we play at West Georgia.”

VSU got a wealth of contribution from the starters, with all five of them ending the game in double figures.

VSU as a team shot a hot 55 percent from the field overall, including 68 percent in the second half and shot 63 percent from three-point range after intermission.

“If you use your offense to get good shots, then obviously it looks a lot better. And that’s what we did tonight. I think we just used our offense to get good shots,” Helfer said.

The Blazers have had a tendency to take shots early in possession, however, Thursday night VSU managed to take more in-rhythm-shots.

On the defensive side, VSU held UWG to just 31 percent overall and just 27 percent in the second half. UWF also shot just 20 percent from behind the three point arc.

Colin Cook— who finished with four blocks— can certainly attest to that. The team as a whole finished with six.

“West Georgia usually makes shots that the missed tonight, so I’d like to take a lot of credit for the defensive end, but some of it was just the night for West Georgia,” Cook said.

For the Wolves, only two of their players ended in double digits— including Deonta Stocks who had 14 points, and Phillip Flowers who finished with 11.

VSU guard Jeremy McKay led all scorers with 18 points and 3 steals. Transfers Blake Justice and Jalen Crawford had 14 points apiece. Senior David Murray had 13 points, and Cook had 12 points.

VSU will be back in action on Saturday at 8 p.m. against Shorter. It will also be VSU’s final home game of the regular season.

This article  was written by Neil Frawley.