CLEVELAND, MISS. - The Statesmen of Delta State University (4-5) fell to the Argonauts of the University of West Florida (3-5) 91-82 behind a 21-point first half by Mike Lewis Sunday at Walter Sillers Coliseum.
DSU jumped out to a 13 point advantage after a basket by senior forward
Ken Mitchell with 15:16 left in the opening period. UWF would fight their way back cutting the lead to three after Jamar Moore went 2-2 at the line with 5:35 on the clock.
The Argonauts would take the lead 43-41 after a free throw by Lendward Griffin with 1:00 left in the half. UWF would remain on top taking a 45-41 halftime lead into the locker room.
UWF's Lewis led all scorers at the break with 21 points while Moore chipped in 16. The Argonauts shot 51.6 percent from the floor and 63.6 percent from beyond the arch on 7-11 three point attempts.
DSU shot 31.9 percent from the floor but performed well at the line going 9-13 for 69.2 percent. Senior guard
Arian Maliqi paced the Statesmen in the first frame with 11 points while senior
Chris Poellnitz added seven points.
In the second half, UWF turned up the heat as they jumped out to a 67-57 advantage after a dunk by Darryl McGhee with 9:28 remaining. DSU cut the lead to six on a free throw by
Ken Mitchell but their effort would come up short as the Argonauts took the win 91-82.
Maliqi led the Statesmen with 19 points and four rebounds while Phil turner added 13. Seniors
Jamarkus Holt and Mitchell finished with 12 and 10 point performances. Holt led the Statesmen on the boards with nine rebounds but UWF won the battle on the glass 49-42.
DSU shot 34.1 percent from the floor to UWF's 54.8 percent. The Statesmen were impressive at the line connecting on 18-22 for 81.8 percent.
Lewis and Moore paced UWF with 27 and 24 point games while Moore led the Argonauts on the boards with 10 rebounds.
The Statesmen return to action on December 14 as they host Gulf South Conference Rival, the Blazers of Valdosta State University, tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at Walter Sillers Coliseum.
