CLEVELAND - Alton Robinson finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds and was one of four players to finish in double figures, as the Delta State University Statesmen opened up conference play with a 84-73 win over Ouachita Baptist Saturday night at Walter Sillers Coliseum. 

The Statesmen picked up their third-straight win, as they improved to 11-3 overall and 1-0 in Gulf South Conference play.  The Tigers fell to 10-4 and 0-1 in league play. 

The Statesmen came out on fire early in the game, holding on to slim lead for most of the half. The Tigers and Statesmen kept it close using the three-point shot.  The lead changed five times in the first frame.   

OBU, 16-of-35 from the floor, took the lead with a 1:12 left to play in the half and headed into the break with a slim 45-43 lead. 

Delta State shot 50 percent from the floor, along with 6-of-9 from three point range in the first half. Alton Robinson had 14 points and six rebounds at the break. 

The Statesmen looked like a different team in the second half, slowly chipping away at OBU before taking a one point lead with 15:34 left to play and never looked back. Despite nine second half lead changes, the Statesmen opened up a 13 point lead with 8:18 left to play and never trailed again. 

Delta State shot 43.5 percent from the floor on the night, while holding the Tigers to just 36 percent. 

Chad Akins' 10 assists was a career best in GSC action, as the junior from Madison leads the GSC with 110 assists. 

Robinson finished with a career-high 25 points, while grabbing 10 boards.  Teammate Joe McCray knocked down 19. Eric Spencer and Arian Maliqi finished with 13 and 11 points respectively. 

Antonio Benjamin led all Tigers with 20 points.  Ed Keyes added 16 with Daniel Maddox chipping in 13.  Jaranimo Marks was also in double figures with 10.

The Statesmen will face Arkansas-Monticello Thursday, Jan. 15, as GSC action continues at Walter Sillers Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.