Choctaws Dominate Blazers in High-Scoring Showdown

The Mississippi College Choctaws delivered a commanding performance against the Valdosta State Blazers, securing a decisive 103-89 victory on January 2, 2026. The Blazers struggled to contain the Choctaws’ shooting prowess, falling behind early and failing to recover throughout the contest.

Phil Nelson led the Choctaws with 19 points, hitting three of his five attempts from beyond the arc. He was supported by Avaughn Johnson, who recorded a double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds. DeMarcus Power contributed another 18 points along with seven rebounds, while Josh Holman added a double-double of his own with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Judah Land rounded out the scoring with 12 points, five rebounds, and three blocks off the bench.

The Choctaws’ shooting accuracy was a significant factor in their victory. They finished the game with an impressive shooting percentage of 56.5%, including 11 of 25 from three-point range. In contrast, the Blazers struggled offensively, shooting only 39% from the field and converting just 9 of 31 from beyond the arc.

Despite a strong effort from the Blazers’ bench, which outscored the Choctaws’ reserves 48-27, the team could not find the defensive answers necessary to stay competitive. The Choctaws dominated the rebounding battle 49-35 and outscored the Blazers 52-34 in the paint.

Blazers coach Mike Helfer expressed frustration following the game, stating, “They made shots, and we didn’t make shots. It’s not hard to dissect. You can’t shoot 15 or 20% from three and expect to stay in games.” Helfer noted that the team’s lack of size contributed to their difficulties, saying, “We’re small and athletic and fast to press, but they’re just throwing over the top of our size, and we’ve just got to play bigger.”

The Choctaws extended their lead to 25 points at 86-61 following a layup from Nelson with just under ten minutes remaining in the game. Although the Blazers attempted a late-game surge, closing the gap to just 11 points with three minutes and thirty-eight seconds left, they could not overcome the deficit. Key contributions during this stretch came from Tony Green Jr., who hit consecutive three-pointers, and Lucas Brown Jr., who also connected from long range.

The Blazers now find themselves at 6-6 overall and 1-5 in Gulf South Conference play, reflecting a challenging season thus far. This latest defeat marks their fourth consecutive loss in conference action, a stark contrast to their performance last season.

Helfer remains optimistic about his team’s resilience despite the current difficulties. “You recruit good kids. They’re not going to break down. They’re going to stay together. That’s just what you have to do,” he commented when discussing how to maintain team morale.

Looking ahead, the Blazers will seek to rebound from this setback with a home game against Delta State on January 4, 2026. Delta State enters the match on a three-game losing streak, having lost 85-72 against West Florida the previous night. This upcoming matchup presents an opportunity for the Blazers to regain their footing in the season.