CLEVELAND- The Delta State Statesmen (8-10, 2-3 GSC) turned the ball over 16 times allowing the 65-52 defeat by the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (13-3, 4-0 GSC) Saturday, January 22 at Sillers Coliseum.

Despite the near comeback in the first half, the Statesmen could not gain control of the scoreboard. They shot 31.9 percent from the floor for the game (7-20) as well as 35 percent from behind the arch (7-20).

The Statesmen allowed the Wonder Boys to get 46 rebounds of which 17 were offensive.

“Blocking out is critical,” said head coach Jason Conner. “I have to get our guys to believe in that.”

However, the Statesmen did a great job spreading the ball around. Phil Turner scored 11 total points, Arian Maliqi and Marqueys Brown both had nine points and Ladarrin Williams had eight points.

Maliqi ended the night with six rebounds and two assists.

Brown was five for six from behind the line.

In the first half, the Statesmen fought hard to score. In spite of going seven minutes without making a basket, they came within three points of the lead. They made a run by draining 62.5 percent of their three-point shots (5-8) by halftime. The Golden Suns were only 12.5 percent from behind the arch (2-16).

“I thought we had played with them well in the first half, “ Conner said. “I thought we closed the gap and had a shot.”

Phil Turner had 11 first half points—the most points between both teams at that time.

The Statesmen will return to the court for another conference game against the Bucs of Christian Brothers University Thursday, Jan. 27 at Sillers Coliseum. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m.