GAME NOTES: Statesmen Basketball GSC Tournament Notes (3.4-6.11)
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CLEVELAND - The Statesmen (15-12, 8-4 GSCW) of Delta State University begin their quest for a seventh Gulf South Conference Men's Basketball Championship on Friday, March 4 at the Desoto Civic Center in Southaven.  The Statesmen own GSC Tournament records for appearances (23), wins (26), championships (6), semifinal berths (17) and finals appearances (12).  

The Statesmen have played 10 games against the teams competing in this year's GSC Tournament, owning an 3-7 mark in those games.  All-time, Delta State boasts a 172-11 mark against the field.  

This Statesmen will open up against Valdosta State (E2/20-8) at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 4.   The two teams met on Dec. 14, 2010 with the Blazers claiming a heart-wrenching 68-67 victory at Sillers Coliseum.  Friday's matchup marks the 28th meeting all-time between the two long-time GSC foes.  DSU leads the series 15-12.  

DSU is 1-3 all-time in GSC Tournament play under Statesmen head coach Jason Conner.  

The Gulf South Conference and Desoto Civic Center are in the fifth and final year of a contract to host the annual Men's and Women's GSC Basketball Tournaments at the Southaven facility.  With the departure of the Arkansas-based schools to the newly formed Great American Conference, next week's GSC Tournament may be the last in the Desoto Civic Center.  The Statesmen are just 1-3 inside the DCC since the GSC Tournament moved north.  

Delta State University guard Phil Turner, a 6-foot-3 senior from Grenada, was named the GSC West Division Player of the Year on Monday, Feb. 28 after averaging 18.6 points and 3.9 assists.    Turner transferred to DSU from Mississippi State this past summer and enjoyed an up-and-down year, but made his greatest impact for the Statesmen during the league schedule. 

In 22 games with 17 starts, Turner proved to be a scoring and defensive force when he was on the floor for the Statesmen.  He averaged 2.6 steals per game to finish third in the GSC, while handing out 85 assists.  In league games, Turner averaged 21.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.  He closed the regular season with five straight 20-point games, including three over 30-points. 

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