Box Score HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Not giving into an early flurry from the visitors, the No. 17 University of Alabama in Huntsville men's basketball team defeated Valdosta State by an 86-72 score on Thursday night at Spragins Hall. The triumph pushes the Chargers to 11-3 (2-1 Gulf South Conference) on the season while VSU drops to 7-6 (1-2 GSC).
 
The Blue and White used a balanced attack again on this night as five Chargers scored in double figures.
 
The game was not completely controlled by the hosts, however, as the Blazers took an early lead as they held a 7-2 advantage just over two minutes into the contest, and Valdosta enjoyed a lead through much of the opening stanza thanks to a blistering performance from downtown that saw VSU shooting at one point 83.3 percent from 3-point land.
 
Withstanding the early heat, UAH went on top for good with 6:23 remaining in the opening half as Conner Blasi buried a pair of free throws – two of his 10 points on the day.
 
The lead grew down the stretch run of the first half, and Ronnie Mack nailed a trey as time expired to send UAH into the locker room enjoying its largest lead of the night up nine at 46-37.
 
The Chargers proceeded to then take over the contest, not allowing VSU to pull within single digits after Josh Magette hit a shot from long-range to put his squad up 60-48 with 15:08 left in the contest. The 3-pointer was one of two Magette hit in the half as he scored 16 of his 18 points in the period.
 
The senior from Birmingham, Ala., continued his approach toward the all-time GSC record for assists in a career as he added 10 more against Valdosta to notch his sixth double-double of the season. Included among the 10 helpers was a nice pass that was part of a highlight-reel play that concluded with a dunk from Zane Campbell.
 
Campbell was one of the five in double digits for the Chargers as he scored 14 off of a 7-for-12 showing from the field, and he also grabbed a team-best six rebounds.
 
Leading the way for UAH for the eighth time this season was Jaime Smith as he connected on three treys and was a strong 9-for-10 at the charity stripe to score 20, and Srdjan Boskovic rounded out the top scorers with 10 points on the night.
 
Michael Panaggio scored a game-best 22 in leading Valdosta State.
 
UAH shot over 50 percent yet again, compiling a field goal percentage of 52.6 compared to VSU's 45.9 percent.
 
The battle on the glass was even as both teams pulled down 34 rebounds.
 
The Chargers will return to action on Saturday when West Florida visits for a 7 p.m. contest.