AMERICUS, Ga. -- The Georgia Southwestern State University men's basketball team utilized a balanced attack on offense with four players scoring in double figures to defeat Fort Valley State University, 65-52, Tuesday evening in the Storm Dome. The Hurricanes improved their record to 2-0 while Fort Valley State fell to 2-3.

How It Happened: Back-to-back buckets from Hasaan Buggs followed by five straight points from R.J. Sessions helped the Hurricanes jump out to a 9-2 lead in the opening four minutes. Fort Valley State refused to let GSW stretch its advantage beyond seven points, but the Hurricanes managed to match that number four more times during the course of the opening session.

Neither side could score during a three minute stretch that ended with a Buggs free throw at the 7:54 mark. John Mason followed with a 3-pointer to put the Hurricanes on top, 24-19, and the GSW defense kept Fort Valley State off the board for another two minutes. GSW led 31-27 at the break.

Fort Valley State scored the first basket of the second half to pull within two points, but Andre Statam answered with a 3-pointer and the Hurricanes never looked back. A 10-0 run took GSW to the 13:12 mark ahead by 14 points, 46-32. The Hurricanes largest lead of the night came off a 3-pointer by Sessions with 4:08 to play that made the score 61-46.  

GSW drained 6 of 10 attempts from long range in the second half to finish the game at 40.9 percent (9 of 22). The Hurricanes dished out six more assists (15-9) and forced five more turnovers (12-7), while holding the Wildcats to 15.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc over 26 attempts. Fort Valley State entered the game having won its last two contests by an average margin of 22.5 points.

Who Stood Out: Buggs made 5 of 10 shots, finished with 11 points and led the team in rebounds (7) and assists (4). Statam added 12 points and six rebounds. Sessions scored 12 points and Devin Watson chipped in 11. Mason and Dajion Macklien both connected on 2 of 3 from long range to help the Hurricanes off the bench.

Up Next: GSW returns to the hardwood on Saturday, Dec. 2 to host USC Aiken in the Peach Belt Conference opener for both schools. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.