LIVINGSTON, ALA. - The Delta State University Statesmen (3-4) shot 71 percent from the floor in the first half to defeat the University of West Alabama Tigers (3-4) 85-77, Thursday at Pruitt Hall in Livingston.

The Tigers jumped out to a 9-2 lead after a three point basket by Drew Faile with 18:10 left in the half. The Statesmen would regain a 12-11 lead over the Gulf South Conference rival on a basket by Jamarkus Holt with 14:59 on the clock.

DSU would take a 13 point lead into the locker room after Holt drained a jumper to end the half with the Statesmen leading 48-35 on 71.4 percent shooting from the floor. Senior Phil Turner led all scorers at the half with 19 points. Holt added eight points and 10 rebounds.

The second half saw the Tigers claw their way back into contention as they cut the lead to eight on a Ryan Fitch jumper. UWA would cut the lead to 4 with 5:15 left in the game but the Statesmen would rally to lead by eight, on a free throw by Arian Maliqi to seal the victory.

Turner paced the Green-and-White with 26 points while senior Ken Mitchell added 19 points and five rebounds. Holt and Maliqi added 15 and 12 while Holt also grabbed 14 boards. DSU won the battle on the boards grabbing 37 rebounds to UWA's 35.Faile and Alquan Mendenhall led the Tigers with 21 points each.

The Statesmen return to the court Saturday December 4 as they face the Wolves of West Georgia at Walter Sillers Coliseum, tipoff is set for 6 pm.