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UNA (9-6, 2-2) came out with more intensity and better flow on

offense to get the much needed win to get back to .500 after

suffering two straight losses. The Lions’ defense was in full swing

committing 23 turnovers and capitalizing off that with a total of

21 transition points. Theron Jenkins led all scorers for the Lions

with 24 points and nine rebounds and a big performance from Keynan

Jackson with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and five

steals.

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“Our intensity, energy, and focus was a lot better,” said UNA Coach

Bobby Champagne. “I think the same team is in locker room now that

was in the locker room Thursday night, but we played with a sense

of urgency and you don’t want to fall to 1-3 to start off the

league.”

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The Lions started the game on fire to bust out to a 22-12 lead with

11:58 remaining in the half. The UNA pressure for the majority of

the half set up a lot of transition buckets by Jackson and Beaumont

Beasley. The Blazers didn’t go away to get within five from a 8-0

run to trail 28-23 with 8:36 left in the half. Jenkins then put the

Lions on his back with his 14 first half points to lead 38-32 at

the half.

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UNA started where they left off in the first half with an

aggressive defense. Defense has been a problem for the Lions the

last two games in the second half, but this game had a different

feel to it. Jackson contributed well on defense and also in

transition as senior guard Beasley battled foul trouble throughout

the half. Valdosta State never let the Lions separate from them as

they traded baskets for most of the half, but the Lions defense

remained tough along with an improved offensive performance to put

away the Blazers 84-70.

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had a big emphasis to hold them to one possession and get the

rebound to push it up the court,” said Jenkins. “It feels good,

especially after the loss we took Thursday night against West

Florida. We are back to .500 in the conference, so that’s a good

thing.”

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With the win, UNA bounced back to reach 9-6 overall and 2-2 in the

conference. The Lions will face conference leader Christian

Brothers on Thursday on the road with a chance to make some noise

before coming back home next Saturday against Delta

State.