VALDOSTA, Ga. -- The Auburn University at Montgomery men's basketball team put four players in double figures and got double-doubles from James Graham and Roderick Smith, but ultimately fell short as Valdosta State University raced past the Warhawks 106-88 on Saturday afternoon.

Graham posted 15 points and 13 rebounds, his eighth double-double of the season. Smith went for 16 points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench for AUM. Jalen Gaston scored a game-high 31 points with seven rebounds while Joseph Lanzi added 17 points.

THE TIPOFF

Score: AUM 88, VSU 106
Records: AUM 14-13 (12-11 GSC) | VSU 18-10 (14-8 GSC)
Location: Valdosta, Ga. | The Complex
Series: Valdosta State leads 13-1
Get Social: Twitter & Instagram - @AUMWarhawksMBB

HIGHLIGHTS

• Valdosta State got off to a quick start, but Zameron Boozer converted a three-point play as he hit a layup and the ensuing free throw to make it 18-13 Blazers with 14:03 left in the opening half. 
• The Blazers hot start continued, however, as a 17-0 run to the 9:44 mark of the first half put VSU out to their largest lead of the day at 35-13.
• Three-pointers from Gaston and Lanzi helped AUM trim the lead down slightly at the break, but the Blazers still maintained a 14-point edge at halftime.
• AUM cut the lead to nine points on three different occasions to make it 76-67 on a James Graham three-pointer with 10:49 left.
• Valdosta State immediately punched the lead right back to double-digits with a layup, a dunk, and a jumper, and took control late to score 106 points on the afternoon.

NOTABLES

• Graham's double-double marked his eighth of the season. Graham also went 6-for-9 from the floor and ranks third in the GSC in field goal percentage at 56 percent.
• Gaston poured in a career-high 31, including 24 in the second half. He added seven rebounds but was also charged with seven turnovers against two assists. 
• AUM turned the ball over 20 times, which led to a 23-7 points of turnovers advantage for the Blazers. 
• The Warhawks out-rebounded the Blazers 51-34, including 19-10 on the offensive glass.

UP NEXT

AUM returns home to host the University of Montevallo on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. for Senior Day at the AUM Athletics Complex.

-#WeAreAUM-

For the latest on AUM athletics, find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.