Russellville, Ark— The eighth ranked Valdosta State Blazers advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday night as they defeated the Clark Atlanta Panthers 74-67.
“We played with some determination tonight and that carried us to the win,” VSU head coach Mike Helfer said via text messaging after the game. “I was proud of our guys and the composure we showed for forty minutes.”
After not recording a single field goal in the Gulf South Conference tournament loss to Arkansas Tech, All-American Tyrone Curnell recorded his 23rd career double-double as he connected on 8-11 field goal attempts as he led VSU with 18 points and 16 rebounds on the night.
“I had a good time. I performed well. I think I did enough for us to get the win,” Curnell said. “I had a lot of faith in our team.”
Valdosta State held a slim seven point lead, 39-32, at the half despite shooting an impressive 68 percent from the floor as South region Player of the Year, Tyrone Curnell, led VSU with 10 points in the opening half as Kevin Harris and Marquis Robinson combined for 19 points off the bench.
VSU outrebounded CAU in the opening half 18-7 as Curnell led all players with six opening half boards.
Despite both teams picking up offensive charges in the opening minute, fouls played a limited role in the first half as VSU attempted just four free-throws while Clark Atlanta attempted zero.
Despite holding a 10 point lead midway through the second half, VSU found their lead at just two points with 3:34 to play. Two straight Ricardo Lewis field goals sprouted the lead back to six points, 69-63.
“Huge,” Helfer said. “We need him to get going and get into that lane. I was just thankful that he took the shot.”
CAU brought the VSU lead to just four after two free-throws, however Clark Atlanta could not get any closer to the Blazers as VSU held on to the first round victory.
Valdosta State out rebounded Clark Atlanta 35-23 on the night; however VSU committed 20 turnovers in the game, 11 of which came in the opening half.
“If we make the same mistakes that we made last weekend, we will lose,” Helfer said after the game when asked about turnovers against VSU’s next opponent, Arkansas Tech.
The opening round win for VSU is the first NCAA Division II tournament win for head coach Mike Helfer, who was previously 0-3 in his first four seasons at VSU.
“It feels good (to win) but we have to focus on step two now,” Helfer said.
With the win, VSU will play No. 1 Arkansas Tech tomorrow night at 9:30 p.m. Arkansas Tech eliminated VSU in the Gulf South Conference tournament as Curnell was held to just two points in the loss.
“We can’t turn the ball over versus their pressure,” Helfer said. “If we aren’t ball strong then it will be a long night.”
A crowd of more than 3,000 people are expected to attend the game between the Blazers and Wonder Boys.
“It is very loud when tech has all their fans in here,” Helfer said. “I expect us to give a little bit better of a fight this time. I think our guys have gotten better and we have learned things. We just have to be prepared and be focused and be ready to go.”
“That is going to be an exciting game tomorrow,” Curnell said when asked about the rematch with Arkansas Tech. “We’re going to watch some film on them tonight. We need some revenge on them for sure.”
Read about the game online at VSUspectator.com and listen to the game on Talk 92.1 F.M.