GAMES 3-5: Statesmen Basketball Thanksgiving Release
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CLEVELAND - The Statesmen (1-2, 0-0 GSC) of Delta State University look to find a groove, as the green-and-white enter the second week of the regular season. DSU will host Shepherd Tech on Monday, Nov. 22 before wrapping up the week at No. 21 Alabama-Huntsville on Saturday, Nov. 27. The Shepherd Tech game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Sillers Coliseum, while the UAH clash is slated for 7 p.m. at Spragins Hall in Huntsville, Ala.

In their last game, the Delta State University Statesmen defeated Victory University 96-79 behind the 21 points and school-record tying 26 rebounds by center Jamarkus Holt on Tuesday, Nov. 16.  Chris Poellnitz added 19 points and Ken Mitchell turned in a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. 

Central Arkansas transfer Chris Poellnitz is leading the Statesmen in scoring heading into the Thanksgiving Holiday week at 20.5 points per game. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard is 17-of-34 on the season from the floor and 5-of-16 (.313) from three point range. He scored 20 points in the season-opener versus No. 17 Rollins College and followed it up with 21 points versus Saint Leo in the second game of the GSC/SSC Challenge.

Ken Mitchell, a 6-foot-8 senior transfer from West Florida, has impressed in his first few games for the Statesmen. The Pensacola, Fla., native is averaging 10 points and 9.5 rebounds per game for the green-and-white.

After redshirting in 2009-2010 to focus on his studies, guard Arian Maliqi has returned with a vengance, averaging 13.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard scored 16 points to open the season against No. 17 Rollins and turned in 11 points and four boards versus Saint Leo.

Freshman point guard Jay Murphy is averaging 4.5 assists per game versus just 1.5 turnovers through his first two games as a Statesmen. The former Bolivar Central (Tenn.) High School star dished out a career-high eight assists in the season-opener versus No. 17 Rollins on Nov. 12 at the GSC/SSC Challenge.

Through its first three games, the Statesmen have played 13 players, including five freshmen.

Delta State's roster features 17 newcomers this season, including 10 transfers from NCAA Division I and the junior college ranks. Alcorn State transfer Jamarkus Holt and Central Arkansas transfer Chris Poellnitz headline the list.

The Statesmen were picked to finish second in the Gulf South Conference West Division this season by a vote of the league's 14 coaches.