MONTICELLO, Ark. –The Delta State University men's basketball team claimed a huge 84-77 victory over the Boll Weevils of the University of Arkansas-Monticello Thursday at Steelman Fieldhouse. Junior guard Joe McCray's 24 points powered the Statesmen, who improved to 17-5 overall and 7-2 in Gulf South Conference West Division play, to the win. The Boll Weevils slipped to 15-6, and 5-4 in league play.

The Statesmen shot 49 percent on the night, connecting on 26-of-53 field goal attempts. DSU also delivered 6-of-15 from the three-point line, and 26-of-38 from the charity stripe.

The Boll Weevils shot 45.9 percent on 28-of-61 shooting. UAM struggled from three-point range, hitting on just 6-of-20 attempts, while shooting 60 percent (15-of-25) from the free throw line.

The Boll Weevils managed to win the rebounding war 40-35, and outscore the Statesmen in the paint 36-34. In the end, DSU's 26 bench points to UAM's 19 played a major role in the win.

Delta State's McCray, a 6-foot-5 guard from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., paced all scorers with 24 points. The slick-shooting two guard hit on 8-of-15 shots, including 5-of-9 from three-point range.

Alton Robinson narrowly missed a double-double with 20 points and nine boards, while Oliver Mansour added nine points off the bench. Junior guard Chad Akins dished out seven assists with no turnovers.

Bernard Seymour led the Boll Weevils with 19 points.

After a furious start by both teams, the Statesmen settled into a solid rhythm to lead 44-36 at the half.

The Statesmen return to Walter Sillers Coliseum Saturday, Feb. 14, as Delta State hosts Christian Brothers University. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. The Statesmen will be co-hosting the seventh annual “Pink out Sillers Coliseum” event as part of the game's festivities. Any fan wearing pink to Saturday's game will receive free admission to the game. Donations will also be accepted at the door with all proceeds going to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Pink Zone cancer initiative.