CLEVELAND, Miss. – Delta State University (8-7, 2-0 GSC) survived a 91-83 overtime thriller over Ouachita Baptist University (5-9, 0-2 GSC) Thursday at Walter Sillers Coliseum behind a yeoman's effort from Phil Turner and Jay Murphy. The duo combined for 34 points and 10 assists in the victory.

The Tigers staged a furious second half comeback, erasing a 14 point deficit and nearly pulling off the win in regulation. After OBU took a 77-74 lead with less than 16 seconds to play, DSU freshman point guard Jay Murphy nailed a three with 1.5 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Statesmen took advantage of several OBU miscues, as DSU eventually wore down the Tigers to seal the win 91-83. DSU shot 57.1 points in OT, while OBU managed 40.0 percent. The Statesmen finished the night shooting 41.7 percent (30-of-72), while the Tigers nailed 51.6 percent (32-of-62). DSU also out-rebounded OBU 42-38, but was outscored in the paint 38-28.

Turner finished the game with a team-high 21 points and six assists to lead the Statesmen. Chris Poellnitz added 20 points and five rebounds, while Brown and Arian Maliqi recorded double-doubles with matching 14 point and 11 rebound stat lines. Murphy closed the game with 13 points and four assists.

OBU's Nigel Ramsey led all scorers with 24 points with Jeremy Banks dropping in 16. Julian LaDay and Scott Day both finished with 15.

The Statesmen shot a blistering 53.6 percent in the first half to take a 44-30 lead into the locker room at the break. The green-and-white connected on 15-of-28 shots from the floor, including a trio of electrifying dunks by Marqueys Brown and Phil Turner. DSU was also 5-of-12 from three-point range and 9-of-10 from the free throw line. The Tigers shot 12-of-20 from the floor, including 4-of-15 from deep.

Brown led all scorers with 13 at the break, while OBU's Scott Day paced the Tigers with 10.

Coach Jason Conner and the Statesmen will travel to Searcy, Ark., Saturday for their first Gulf South Conference road game of the season at Harding University (11-2, 1-0 GSC). Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Fieldhouse. The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 7:15 p.m. with Jimmy Smith and J.T. Webb on the call.