Men's Basketball | 11/29/2003 4:32:00 PM

Box Score MIAMI SHORES – The Barry University men's basketball team dropped its first game of the season falling to Valdosta State 60-55 earlier this afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.

Valdosta State (5-0) jumped out in front early on opening the game with a 13-0 run at the 16:26 mark and at one point led by as much as 16. However, the resilient Bucs (3-1) got themselves back into it, putting together an 8-0 run with 4:45 left to play in the half before Valdosta extended their lead again to 37-27 to close out the half.

In the second half, the Bucs with solid and timely offense, cut Valdosta's lead to 48-42 with 8:56 to play and were within 3 points of the Blazers at 58-55 with just: 13 to play, however, fell short as Valdosta sealed the 60-55 victory with on two free-throws by Rodgie Leggett in the final seconds.

Valdosta's Mike Crain led all scorers with 21 points. Clifford Smith led the Bucs with 14 points and Nick Ellingsworth-Perez followed with 13 points and 8 rebounds.

The Bucs return to action on Dec. 6 when they visit Florida Atlantic at 7:00 pm.