Complete Statesmen Basketball Weekly Game Notes Release [PDF]
CLEVELAND – After suffering their first conference loss of the season on Saturday, the Delta State Statesmen (13-4, 4-1 GSC) look to rebound against a pair of West Division opponents this week. The Statesmen host Harding (8-9, 1-4 GSC) on Thursday, Jan. 28 for an 8 p.m. tipoff at Sillers Coliseum and then hit the road for a Saturday, Jan. 30 contest against Henderson State (7-11, 0-5 GSC). Tipoff from Arkadelphia, Ark. is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Statesmen, who are ranked No. 5 in the South Region of NCAA Division II, saw their eight-game winning streak snapped last week when they were defeated 88-77 at No. 1 Arkansas Tech. Chad Akins scored a career-high 26 points against the Wonder Boys in the loss.
Akins, a 6-foot senior point guard from Madison, has been the Statesmen’s most consistent threat in GSC play, averaging 15.4 points per game. He also has his sights on Delta State career assists mark, as his 497 helpers trails the all-time mark of 559 held by Scott Nagy, who suited up for the Statesmen from 1985-88.
The Statesmen lead the all-time series with Harding, having won 12 times in 18 contests. The series between DSU and Henderson State has been evenly contested throughout the years, as the two teams have a 21-21 all-time record.
Both men’s games will be featured on Statesmen Sports Network immediately following each day’s women’s contests. Jimmy Smith and J.T. Webb will have the call.