ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Alton Robinson's 24 points and seven rebounds powered the Delta State men's basketball team past Ouachita Baptist University 77-70 Thursday at Bill Vining Arena. The victory was the fifth straight in Gulf South Conference play for the Statesmen (16-5, 6-2 GSC), while the Tigers (12-9, 2-6 GSC) were saddled with their third straight loss. 

Despite connecting on 54.8 percent of their first half shots (13-of-24), the Statesmen held a slim 31-28 lead going into the locker room at the half. The Tigers shot just 39 percent (11-of-28), but nailed four key three-pointers to keep it close. 

In the second half, the Statesmen took advantage of their depth in post, outscoring OBU 23-18 in the paint and 18-3 off the bench. 

Bench scoring would loom large in the win, as the Statesmen outscored the Tigers 30-4 off the pine. DSU also out-rebounded OBU 37-30, but lost the turnover battle 17-10. 

DSU finished the game shooting 58.9 percent, while OBU 41.9 percent. DSU was 8-of-16 from three-point range, while OBU connected on 9-of-24 three-point attempts. 

Delta State's Alton Robinson led all scorers with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. Joe McCray and Stanley Copeland added 10 points apiece. 

Rowan Ledbetter paced OBU with 19 points. 

The Statesmen will take the weekend off before returning to GSC action next Thursday, Feb. 12 at Arkansas-Monticello. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Steelman Fieldhouse.