Box Score CLEVELAND, Miss. – The trio of Terry Leake, Jr., Ryan Smith and Matt Albritton combined to score 61 points and grab 20 rebounds in Delta State's 81-73 victory over Belhaven University Saturday at Walter Sillers Coliseum.  For Smith, who had 21 points, and Albritton, who dropped in 15 points, Saturday's performances topped career-highs while Leake, Jr., recorded his third-straight double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds.  The Statesmen improved to 4-5 on the season, while the Blazers slipped to 6-9.

The story of the night was the play of Smith and Albritton, as the duo combined for 36 points on 13-of-16 shooting.  At one point, Albritton was 3-of-3 from 3-point range, while Smith's inside presence proved to be the difference down the stretch. 

The Statesmen finished the contest shooting 50.9 percent (29-of-57) from the floor, 41.2 percent from 3-point range on 7-of-17 attempts, and a blistering 80.0 percent from the free throw line (16-of-20).  The Blazers finished the night connecting on 43.9 percent (25-of-57) from the field, 41.7 percent (5-of-12) from 3-point range and 64.3 percent from the line on 18-of-28 attempts.   

Both teams finished with 32 points in the paint, but DSU edged BU in points-off-turnovers with 18 to 11.  The Blazers did out-rebound the Statesmen 36-32. 

Mike Weems added eight points off the bench for the Statesmen, while Cornel Knight had four points, seven boards and a game-high nine assists in the win. 

Belhaven was led by Curt Hall's 17 points.  Jordan Butts added 15 points and Chris Coefield chipped in 14 for the Blazers.    

The first half was a physical affair between the two clubs, as the Statesmen took a 42-38 lead into the locker room on the 12 points of Ryan Smith and Terry Leake, Jr.'s 11 points.  DSU shot a blistering 61.9 percent from the field on 16-of-26 attempts, while BU connected on 42.0 percent (12-of-28). 

The Blazers out-rebounded the Statesmen 17-15 and connected on 9-of-16 shots from the free throw line.  BU also outscored DSU 14-4 on second chance points.  Both teams had 12 points in the paint.

The Statesmen return to action on Thursday, Jan. 3 at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.  Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network with Matt Jones and J.T. Webb on the call.