Weekly Release No. 4 - HSU/HU vs. Statesmen Men's Basketball

CLEVELAND - The Statesmen (13-5, 3-2 GSC) of Delta State University face two formidable challenges this week with a Thursday road game at Harding (12-6, 2-3 GSC), and a Saturday showdown with Henderson State (3-14, 1-4 GSC). Thursday's contest with the Bisons will tip-off at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday's clash the Reddies will start at 6 p.m. at Walter Sillers Coliseum. 

The Statesmen went 2-0 last week to move back into the thick of GSC West Division race with a 91-72 win at Southern Arkansas and a thrilling 85-79 overtime victory over then-No. 17 Arkansas Tech. The GSC West race is filled with three-nationally ranked teams, and a handful of extremely talented teams battling for the coveted five playoff spots at the GSC Tournament. 

In player news, junior guard Joe McCray, a 6-foot-5 Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., native was named the GSC West Division Player of the Week after averaging 22.5 points and 5.5 rebounds last week. McCray scored a career-high 29 points in Delta State's 85-79 overtime upset of the Wonder Boys last Saturday at Walter Sillers Coliseum. 

Both games this week will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior to tip-off with the "SouthGroup Insurance Locker Room Report."  J.T. Webb (play-by-play) and Troy Treasure (Color commentary) will have the call.