VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks men's basketball team (3-14, GSC: 1-10) lost a hard-fought battle to the Valdosta State Blazers (11-6, GSC: 6-5) 110-80 on Saturday evening from Valdosta, Georgia.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
Although Valdosta State scored the opening pair of baskets, Marius Canery's efforts in the paint kept the score close early on.
 
Around the 15-minute mark, the Blazers took a 16-11 lead after five points from Maalik Leitch. Canery was able to respond, knocking down his next two triple attempts, to keep it a one-point game.
 
The Blazers led by as much as 13 in the first half, however, AUM's defense and points from Elhadji Thiam, Devin Barksdale, and Colby Williams helped shave the deficit to 51-43 before the halftime intermission.
 
Second Half
Despite St. Clair's jumper in the paint to begin the second half, VSU slowly extended their cushion until they led 84-54 with about 10 minutes left on the clock.
 
The Warhawks strung together eight points after Barksdale and St. Clair nailed three-point daggers and Canery finished with a layup. 
 
Although the Warhawks continued to battle, Valdosta went on to take a 110-80 victory on their home court.
 
NOTABLES

• Marius Canery led the Warhawks with 20 points, his fourth time reaching 20 this season.
• Elhadji Thiam scored 16 points while coming down with a season high 14 rebounds to secure his first double-double of the season.
• Jacob St. Clair also recorded 16 points, made possible by his four three-point buckets.
• Colby Williams ended the day with 15 points, which included a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe.
• AUM shot 40.9 percent from the field (14-of-29) and 33.3 percent from distance (9-of-27).
• The Warhawks totaled 34 points in the paint while the Blazers earned 66.

UP NEXT
The Warhawks return to the AUM Athletics Complex on Thursday, Jan. 22 for a 7:30 p.m. game against the Lee Flames.


#WeAreAUM  
   
For the latest on AUM athletics, find us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.