CLEVELAND- The Delta State Statesmen drop an 18 point lead over Harding University, delivering the 78-73 loss Saturday, Feb. 12 at Sillers Coliseum.

The Statesmen had not allowed the Bisons to gain the lead until there was 9:26 left in the second half when Stephen Blake hit a three, pushing them past the Statesmen 58-57.

Blake gave the Bisons the momentum they had been lacking in the first half by hitting six three's in a row.

Until that point, the green-and-white had been dominating the floor.

The Statesmen ended the first half with a commanding lead over the Bisons 41-28. Phil Turner came ready to play as he put up 22 points going into the half; Harding, on the other hand, did not have a single player with double-digit numbers.

“I thought the first half was good, “ said head coach Jason Conner.

DSU struggled defending in the second half. They started giving Harding position underneath the basket. The Bisons ended the night with 41 rebounds, 16 of which were offensive. The Statesmen also left many opposing players unguarded.

“In the second half we stopped playing defense--we left people open,” Connor. “But we have to give Harding credit; they are nationally ranked for a reason.”

However, Phil Turner continued to pound the basket on offense. He ended the night with 31 points (21 points were made from three's), four rebounds and 4 assists.

Marqueys Brown and Arian Maliqi both ended the night with 11 points.

The Statesmen combined for 17 assists on the night. They shot 52.4 percent from behind the arch (11-21) and 46.6 percent from the floor (27-58).

The Statesmen will hit the road Monday, Feb. 14 to take on the Tigers of Ouachita Baptist in Vining Arena. Tip off is slated for 6 P.M.