MAGNOLIA, Ark. –The Delta State University men's basketball team snapped a two-game losing streak Thursday with a 91-72 victory over Southern Arkansas at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.
Alton Robinson scored 25 points to help the Statesmen (12-5, 2-2 GSC) outscore the Muleriders (7-9, 1-3 GSC), 60-28, in the paint in the win.
“You hate to use the term must win, but this one was pretty close. We had our chances against Christian Brothers and Arkansas-Monticello, but couldn't pull it out in the end. Tonight our inside game clicked all night and in the end, it was just too much. Alton and Joe (McCray) played very well, and
Chad Akins executed the game plan to perfection,” stated Jason Conner, Delta State head coach.
After a closely contest 38-35 first half, the Statesmen opened up the game in the second frame to outscore the Muleriders 53-37. Led by a dominant inside game, the Statesmen delivered 18 second-chance points that proved to be the difference in the contest.
The Statesmen finished the night shooting 56.6 percent on 35-of-62 attempts. The Muelriders connected on 44.4 percent (24-of-54), but lost the war on the boards 41-30. DSU hit 4-of-11 three-point attempts, and connected on 17-of-23 at the free throw line. SAU was 7-of-16 from three and 17-of-27 at the line.
Alton Robinson led all scorers with 25 points and six rebounds for the Statesmen. The 6-foot-7 senior forward from Hattiesburg connected on 12-of-23 shots on the night. Junior
Joe McCray added 16 points and seven boards, while
Eric Spencer dropped in 12 points.
DSU's
Chad Akins set a new career-high in GSC play with 10 assists. The Madison native scored seven points and picked off three SAU passes in the win.
SAU was led by Channin Harden's 17 points. Sanchez Dade added 14 points and was joined in double figures by Justin Stewart with 13 points and David Noble with 11.
The Statesmen return to Walter Sillers Coliseum Saturday, Jan. 24, as Delta State hosts No. 17 Arkansas Tech in a key showdown in the GSC West Division. DSU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Statesmen Basketball will host the second annual Make-A-Wish Night during the contest. Over 86 Make-A-Wish kids, parents and volunteers will be in attendance at the game. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
