VALDOSTA, Ga. | The 19th-ranked University of Alabama in Huntsville men's basketball team erased a second-half deficit and outlasted host Valdosta State in overtime on Saturday evening, winning 102-96 to sweep the road trip to open Gulf South Conference Play. UAH moves to 5-2 (2-0 GSC) on the season, while the Blazers fall to 5-2 (1-1 GSC).
 
With 17.8 seconds remaining in regulation and the Chargers trailing by three, Seab Webster was fouled while attempting a 3-point shot, and he stepped up to the line and buried each of the free throws to force the extra period after UAH had been down by as many as nine.
 
In overtime, Greg Gardner – who scored a career-high 26 – nailed a pair from the charity stripe at the 2:43 mark to give the visitors a two-point lead, and on the next UAH possession, Michael Gilmore hit a 3-pointer to pad the lead, and the Chargers would allow VSU just one more made basket in the closing moments of OT to secure the win.
 
Gardner was one of six Chargers who scored in double figures, helping UAH break the 100-point mark for the first time since the team scored 111 against Tennessee Wesleyan on Dec. 2, 2013.
 
Adding 17 and grabbing a team-best nine rebounds was Webster, while Troy Saxton scored 13. Gilmore finished the night with 12, Preston Herring added 11, and Brandon Roberts rounded out the double-digit scoring contingent with 10.
 
Gardner scored 12 of his points in the first half, and though both teams enjoyed seven-point leads in an entertainingly offensive opening half, the teams went in the locker room at the half deadlocked at 48-48.
 
Valdosta – paced by Shaun Jones who scored 27 – then led for much of the second half and owned an 81-73 advantage at the 6:11 mark of the period, but the Chargers then went on a 17-8 run to close the half with Webster scoring nine of his points during the stretch to help UAH tie the game.
 
For the contest, UAH shot 58.6 percent from the floor and was 11-for-20 from 3-point land, while VSU shot 46.7 percent on the night. Rebounding in the contest was event at 36-36.
 
UAH was again strong inside with 44 of the team's points coming in the paint.
 
The Chargers – who have only played two home games so far this year – will now return home for a four-game homestand that starts on Thursday when West Alabama visits to continue GSC action. The contest is slated for a 7:30 p.m. tip at Kelly Court at Spragins Hall.