MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Arian Maliqi's driving lay-up with 2.1 seconds remaining in the game lifted the Delta State University Men's Basketball team to a 67-66 come-from-behind victory over Southern Arkansas Thursday at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center. The Statesmen moved to 11-10 on the season and 5-3 in Gulf South Conference West Division play, while the Muleriders dropped to 9-10, 1-6 in the division.

It was a fight from start to finish, as neither team could find a way to impose their will on the other. The first half ended with DSU leading 34-33 and the second half closed in a 33-33 tie. It was Maliqi's play on both ends of the court that lifted DSU on this night. The senior canned a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left to put DSU up 65-64, only to see SAU claim the lead on Channin Hardin's lay-up.

With 6.4 seconds remaining and the Statesmen down 66-65, Marc Liyanage's in-bounds pass went to Ladarrin Williams who found a knifing Maliqi headed to the basket. After crossing over the Mulerider defender, the Pristina, Kosovo native's kiss off the glass found the bottom of the net to propel the green-and-white to the win.

Playing with just seven players due to injury and illness, the Statesmen finished the game shooting 44 percent on 22 of 50 from the floor, including 4 of 19 from 3-point range and 19 of 31 from the free throw line. SAU connected on 24 of 54 from the field for 46.3 percent.

Phil Turner led the Statesmen with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Maliqi closed the game with 15 points and six boards.

Liyanage narrowly missed a double-double with a career-high 11 points and nine boards. Marqueys Brown had eight points and five rebounds as well.

SAU was paced by Hardin's game-high 22 points. David Noble added nine points.

The Statesmen will take Saturday off before returning to GSC play next Thursday, Feb. 10 at Ouachita Baptist University. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Bill Vining Arena in Arkadelphia, Ark. Jimmy Smith and J.T. Webb will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 7:15 p.m. with the “Shelter Insurance Court Report.”