CLEVELAND –After a slow start by the Delta State University men's basketball team Wednesday, the Statesmen found their shot and cruised to a 111-65 victory over the Hornets of Concordia College of Selma (Ala.). Alton Robinson powered the Statesmen attack with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor. DSU improved to 10-3 overall, while CCS dropped to 4-12. 

DSU claimed the lead for the first time in the game at the 16:43 mark, 9-8, and never looked back. DSU ended the half up 62-37 after shooting 62.2 percent (23-of-37). CCS shot just 35.1 percent on 13-of-37 and were a mere 3-of-17 from three point range. 

Arian Maliqi led all scorers and DSU with 13 points at the break. 

The second half proved to be more of the same for the Statesmen, as DSU shot 59.4 percent (19-of-32) from the floor. The Hornets managed just 23.1 percent (9-of-39) and finished the half 1-of-15 from three point land. 

Delta State finished the game shooting 60.9 percent (42-of-69) from the floor, 43.8 percent (7-of-16) from three, and 76.9 percent from the line on 20-of-26 attempts. Concordia-Selma connected on just 28.9 percent of their shots, and just 12.5 from three point range on 4-of-32 attempts. 

The Statesmen placed four players in double figures, led by Robinson's 21. Arian Maliqi dropped in 16 on the night, while Eric Spencer added 14 points and Stanley Copeland scored 11. Copeland added five assists. 

John Nixon and Zack Williams scored 14 apiece for the Hornets. 

The Statesmen open the Gulf South Conference schedule on Saturday, Jan. 10, versus Ouachita Baptist University. Tiup-off is set for 6 p.m. at Walter Sillers Coliseum. Tickets are on sale now, and may be purchased online at www.GoStatesmen.com or by calling the DSU Athletic Ticket Office at (662) 846-4300.