Box Score

CLEVELAND- The Delta State University Statesmen, eager to start the season on the right foot, did just that Monday night with a 63-60 win over the Chargers of Alabama-Huntsville at Walter Sillers Coliseum. Alton Robinson scored the season's first double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, as the Statesmen began the 2008-09 campaign undefeated at 1-0, while the Chargers fell to 0-1. 

The Statesmen wasted no time racking up the points early, going on a 13-2 run to start off the ball game, in front of the home fans. However, Delta State got into some foul trouble early, giving up crucial points at the free-throw line and allowing the Chargers to rally back and cut the deficit to 23-21 with just under 10 minutes left to play in the half. 

The battle would heat up as the half continued, with each team trying to establish a good run. Alabama-Huntsville would tie the game 28-28 with 4:11 left to play after trailing the majority of the half. Both teams would exchange the lead once more before Arian Maliqi tied the ball game for the Statesmen, 34-34, heading into halftime. 

The Statesmen were held to just 40 percent shooting from the floor, including a disappointing 2-of-11 from behind the arch. Senior forward Alton Robinson led all scorers with 10 points at the break, shooting 5-of-9 from the floor, with four rebounds.  Teammate Joe McCray racked up eight points for the Statesmen. 

Despite shooting 43 percent from the field, the Chargers trailed most of the half, but were consistent at the free-throw line going 9-of-11. Luc Graves led all Chargers at the break, picking up nine points, all from three-point range. 

The Statesmen looked hot out of the gates early in the second half, picking up where they left off after the break. Robinson continued to play well with some short-range jumpers.   

Delta State was looking to gain some momentum with a little over seven minutes left to play in the game, scoring on three straight possessions to extend the lead to as many as six. 

Oliver Mansour's long range jumer gave the green-and-white a six point lead, but again the Chargers were not ready to back down, cutting the deficit to four. 

However the Statesmen, who dominated inside the paint, made the shots when needed and held on for a 63-60 win. 

Robinson scored a game-high 22 points with 10 rebounds to lead the Statesmen.  McCray finished with 12 points and a team-high three steals. Delta State shot better form the field in the second half, 44 percent, while holding the Chargers to 31.3. 

Srdan Boskovic led the Chargers with 13 points, including 3-of-4 from behind the arch. Tyler Hanback also finished in double digits with 10 points and seven rebounds. 

The Statesmen hit the road this Saturday, as they travel to Carrollton, Ga., to take on the University of West Georgia. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at UWG Fieldhouse.