GAME NOTES: Statesmen Basketball vs. Christian Bros./UA-Monticello
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Statesmen (8-10, 2-3 GSC) of Delta State University look to right the ship after dropping three-straight in Gulf South Conference play this Thursday, Jan. 27, as the Buccaneers (15-4, 3-2 GSC) of Christian Brothers University travel to Cleveland. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. The game marks the 81st meeting all-time between the two GSC foes with DSU leading the all-time series 48-32.

DSU wraps up the week Saturday, Jan. 29 at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The Boll Weevils (10-6, 2-2 GSC) will host the Statesmen at 4 p.m. inside Steelman Fieldhouse. The two long-time opponents will be playing for the 82nd time in series history with the Statesmen dominating the series 63-18.

This week's schedule will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior to tip-off with the “Shelter Insurance Locker Room Report.” Jimmy Smith and J.T. Webb will have the call.

After losing three games in a row, the Statesmen coaching staff and players are searching for the right mix to make it back into the race for the GSC West Division crown. At 2-3 and nine games remaining in the league schedule, there is plenty of time to make course corrections. In fact, the Statesmen have not dropped three games in a row since the 2007-08 season, when DSU lost four in December.

DSU currently boasts 670 all-time victories versus Gulf South Conference opponents after defeating Ouachita Baptist 91-83 in overtime on Thursday, Jan. 13 at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The Statesmen need five wins to top 675 all-time and trails only North Alabama, who holds the GSC wins record at 680.

Senior guard Phil Turner (6-3/G) leads the Statesmen in scoring heading into this week at 15.6 points per game. The Grenada native ranks seventh in the GSC scoring and first in steals (40) at 2.8 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 4.11 assists per game, ranking fifth in the GSC, to lead the Statesmen. He also ranks third in the all-important assists/turnover ratio (2.13). Against GSC teams, Murphy is averaging 11.2 points and 4.2 assists per game.

For complete game notes, rankings, stats and more, please click on the link above.