Box Score
CLEVELAND, Miss. – Despite the 29 points and 13 rebounds of senior forward Terry Leake, Jr., the Delta State University Statesmen (0-1) dropped an 81-73 season-opening loss to the Henderson State University Reddies (2-0) Tuesday, Nov. 13 at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The loss was also the first for coach
Jim Boone at DSU.
“Proud of the way the guys fought it tonight,” Boone said. “We had some chances tonight, but just couldn't turn the corner when we needed to in the last four minutes of the game. You can't turn it over in those situations and we put ourselves behind the eight ball late. Overall, there were many positives to take out of this game and we'll be ready for LeMoyne Owen Saturday.”
After trailing 35-30 to HSU at the half, the Statesmen had clawed back to take an eight point lead, 60-52, with 8:50 to play. After a Ryan Fleming bucket, HSU drew a charge foul and a technical foul, which swung momentum back into the Reddies favor.
As HSU chipped away at the lead, DSU went could from the floor and was outscored 12-2 from 4:57 to 52 seconds left in the contest to lead by eight, 74-66. The Reddies salted away the game at the free throw line for the win.
DSU placed three players in double-figures, led by Leake, Jr.'s, 29 points and career-high 13 rebounds.
Cornel Knight added 14 points, while
Michael Weems added 10.
HSU had five players in double digits, including a team-high 23 points from Melvin Haynes. Andrew Ensley chipped in 15 points followed by Denzell Lyles with 14, 13 from Joe McCoy and 10 from Jonathon Fitzgerald.
HSU shot 42.1 percent from the field on 25-of-57 attempts, including 8-of-23 from 3-point range. The Reddies were also 25-of-32 at the free throw line and outscored DSU 25-11 off the bench.
The Statesmen shot 54 percent for the night on 27-of-50 shooting, but struggled from 3-point range, as DSU was just 3-of-11 from beyond the arc. The green-and-white out rebounded HSU 35-29, but lost the turnover battle 19-11.
DSU will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 17, as the Magicians of LeMoyne Owen College travel to Sillers Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.
