The Bulldogs came into tonight's game seeking a win to make it to the GCAC Tournament Championship for the first time. Instead, it would be the Blazer that would take the victory and advance to the championship round. The Bulldogs and Blazers would both come out playing, as it would be the Blazers that would score the first basket of the game. The Bulldogs would respond and the battle would begin. The Bulldogs and the Blazers would go back and forth before the Blazers would take over and take a 13 point lead over the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs would try to bounce back, but the Blazers would take a 43-30 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Bulldogs would battle their way back in the game to be down by as less as 2 points, but the Blazers would not let go of the lead. With less than five minutes to play in the game, the Bulldogs would come within five, 65-60. With the Bulldogs having some momentum, they would try to cut the lead to 2 with a 3-pointer, but the shot would not go through. The Bulldogs would come within four in the final minute of the game, but it would not be enough and the Blazers would roll to a victory. The loss makes it the first home loss of the season.
Leading the Bulldogs was Mario Luckett with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Jejuan Jacks tacked in 16 points and Walter Howard chipped in 11 points. The Bulldogs shot 33.3% from the field, 26.1% from behind the arc, and 53.1% from the charity stripe. Pacing the Blazers was Nathaniel Roche' with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Woodie Howard tacked in 14 points and A.J. Taylor and Krayleon Winston chipped in 10 points respectively. The Blazers shot 38% from the field, 33.3% from behind the arc, and 60% from the charity stripe.
The Blazers move on to the GCAC Championship to take on LSUS, who defeated William Carey University 89-53 in their semifinal game in Shreveport. The Bulldogs will await the announcing of the National brackets on Wednesday to find out whether tonight was their last game of the season or will they be traveling to Kansas City for the national tournament.
