GAME NOTES: Statesmen Basketball vs. Henderson State/Arkansas Tech
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CLEVELAND - The Statesmen (12-11, 6-4 GSC) of Delta State University will be looking to gain a little momentum headed into the final week of the regular season with a pair of West Division showdowns this week. The green-and-white will play host to Henderson State University (7-15, 2-8 GSC) on Thursday, Feb. 17 at Sillers Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.

DSU will close out the week on Saturday, Feb. 19 at No. 14 Arkansas Tech University (19-3, 10-0 GSC). Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville, Ark. Both games on 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.

The Statesmen are facing the Reddies of Henderson State and the Wonder Boys of Arkansas Tech for the final time in Gulf South Conference history. Both Arkansas based schools are leaving the GSC this summer to form the newly created Great American Conference. Thursday's game with HSU marks the 46th meeting all-time between the two schools with DSU holding a 23-22 edge in the standings. The Statesmen and Wonder Boys have met on 42 previous occasions with the green-and-white holding a 25-17 lead on the green-and-gold.

Senior guard Phil Turner (6-3/G) leads the Statesmen in scoring heading into this week at 17.4 points per game. The Grenada native ranks fourth in the GSC scoring and third in steals (49) at 2.6 per game. He's scored 21, 31 and 29 points respectively in Delta State's last three games. Against GSC opponents, Turner is averaging 20.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Freshman point guard Jay Murphy is proving he's no ordinary freshman. The former Bolivar Central star is averaging 4.6 assists per game, ranking fourth 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 8.9 points and 5.7 assists per game. His 102 assists this season are the most by a freshman since Carl Brown's freshman record 147 in 1982-83.

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