CLEVELAND- It came down to free-throws in the final minute of overtime, as the Delta State University Statesmen basketball team picked up a huge come from behind win over Harding, 78-72, Thursday night at Walter Sillers on Senior Night. 

The win caps off an emotional night for three seniors who made their final regular season appearance at Walter Sillers Coliseum; Brad Skipper, Jason Elzie and Oliver Mansour. 

With the win, Delta State improves to 20-6 overall and moves into a tie for first place in the West Division with Christian Brothers with a 10-3 GSC record. The Bison fall to 15-11, 5-8 in conference play. 

Akins finished with a team-high 20 points and was one of four Statesmen to rack up double-digits in the points column. Maliqi and Mansour finished contributed with 11 points apiece while Spencer finished with 10 points for the game. 

The Statesmen shot 25 percent from the floor in OT, but were clutch at the line, making 6-of-10.
Delta State shot 36 percent for the game, despite going 6-of-19 from long range. 

The Bison were held to 41 percent from the floor, although they led for most of the game. 

Delta State trailed for most of the second half, before Chad Akins hit a three point basket to tie the game with a little over five minutes left to play for the first time since the opening tip-off. On the very next possession, Dmitry Pirshin gave the Statesmen the lead for the first time all night, converting on two free-throws with 4:38 left to play. 

Arian Maliqi's three-point attempt at the buzzer was no good, sending the game into overtime tied 70-70. 

The Statesmen trailed for the entire first half and were held to 26 percent shooting from the floor, including 2-of-7 from the point range. The Statesmen did force nine Harding turnovers and out-rebounded the Bison 18-15. 

Harding shot 50 percent in the first half and was deadly from distance, converting on 9-of-14 opportunities while holding on to 43-31 lead at the break. 

Eric Spencer led the Statesmen at the break with eight points, including 6-of-6 from the free throw line. 

The Bison had four players finish in double-digits led by Stephen Blake with 14. 

The Statesmen will close out the regular season on the road against Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Ark., this Saturday at Duke Wells Center. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.