GAME NOTES: Statesmen Basketball versus Henderson State/Arkansas Tech (1.20-22.11)
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CLEVELAND - The Statesmen (8-8, 2-1 GSC) of Delta State University continues Gulf South Conference play this Thursday, Jan. 20, as the Reddies (5-10, 0-3 GSC) of Henderson State University hosts DSU at the Duke Wells H.P.E.R. Center in Arkadelphia, Ark. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. DSU wraps up the week Saturday, Jan. 22 by hosting Arkansas Tech University (12-3, 3-0 GSC). Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Sillers Coliseum.

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. Both games will be broadcasted on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior to tipoff with Jimmy Smith and J.T. Webb on the call.

Henderson State and Delta State will be meeting for the 45th time in series history on Thursday at the Duke Wells HPER Center in Arkadelphia, Ark. The series has been a tight one over the years, as the Statesmen own a slim 23-21 edge in the series. DSU defeated HSU 76-72 at “The Duke” last season and a lop-sided 92-75 victory at Walter Sillers Coliseum.

The Statesmen and coach Jason Conner will be looking to out dazzle the Wonder Boys of Arkansas Tech University Saturday at Sillers Coliseum. The game marks the 42nd meeting all-time between the GSC foes. DSU leads the all-time series 25-16, but ATU has won three straight in the series.

Jamarkus Holt (6-9/F) has been a near unstoppable force this season. The Alcorn State transfer has already tied the school's single-game rebounding record with 26 at Victory University (11.16) and his offensive skills have been equally impressive. The Vero Beach, Fla., native is averaging nearly a double-double with 9.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the GSC.

Senior guard Phil Turner (6-3/G) leads the Statesmen in scoring heading into this week at 16.0 points per game. The Grenada native ranks sixth in the GSC scoring and first in steals (38) at 2.9 per game.

Freshman point guard Jay Murphy is making the most of his opportunity as DSU's starting floor general. The former Bolivar Central star is averaging 4.14 assists per game, ranking fifth in the GSC, to lead the Statesmen. He also ranks third in the all-important assists/turnover ratio (2.23).

STATESMAN TO WATCH
Freshman guard Jay Murphy (5-11, 185, Fr.) is this week's “Statesman to Watch” after leading Delta State to a 2-1 start in Gulf South Conference West Division play.  The former Bolivar Central High School All-State selection has started 11 of 16 games for the Statesmen this season, including 10-straight, averaging 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.  His 4.1 assists per game rank fifth in the GSC, while his 2.3 assists-to-turnover ration sits third.  Murphy is averaging 13.7 points, 2.7 boards and 5.3 assists per game in Gulf South Conference play.  He will lead DSU into two league matchups this week at HSU and ATU. 

Complete game notes and statistics are available at the link above.