Box Score
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Delta State University men's basketball team (8-1, 1-0) opened Gulf South Conference action with a win, on the road, at Christian Brothers University (4-3, 0-1). The Statesmen squeaked out the victory over the Buccaneers 65-63 at Canale Arena on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Fast-paced action opened up the game, and CBU hit a couple 3-pointers to start the game off with a 10-point lead. Devin Schmidt answered for Delta State with a few jumpers, getting the Statesmen back in the action.

The Bucs continued to shoot well from outside, taking a 27-12 lead with about seven minutes left in the first half. The Statesmen climbed back in on an 8-3 run. Michael Weems hit a big 3-point shot. Schmidt scored five straight points to bring the Statesmen within five at 27-22 with 4:38 to go in the half.

Freshman Charlie Oswald hit several more 3-point shots for the Christian Brothers but DSU began to tighten up on the defensive end with blocks by Mike Washington and Zelvin Smith Jr.

The Statesmen ended the half with a 5-0 run to pull within five points at halftime. In the opening half, Delta shot 40 percent from the field and pulled down 18 rebounds.

DSU came out firing in the second half with an early 3-pointer by Jack Madgen. The Statesmen went on an 11-6 run and took their first lead of the game with 16 minutes on the clock.

CBU tied it back up on a jumper by Ryan Fleming but the lead swtiched again Statesmen on a bucket from Schmidt. The freshman scored a career high 24 points.

The lead grew to eight points for DSU with 10:15 to go. The Bucs refused to go away though, cutting the lead down to five with 7:59 to play. 

The rivals continued to trade baskets with a 3-point shot by Harry Green, bringing CBU within three. Schmidt answered with a layup and the Statesmen never looked back, getting the 65-63 win.

The Buccaneers tried several times to come back, but the Statesmen defense held strong and only allowed CBU to shoot 32 percent from the floor in the second half.

Delta State shot 42 percent from 3-point line and 46 percent from the field in the win. The Statesmen outrebounded Christian Brothers 39-28.

Schmidt led all scorers with his 24 points. He also pulled down nine rebounds and dished out five assists. He was 11-of-19 shooting and hit two shots from beyond the arc. Willie Readus recorded another double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The big man was a perfect 8-of-8 at the free-throw line. Madgen was good for 10 points on the night and Weems added nine. Washington scored four points and used his 7-foot-2-inch wing span to knock away four blocks.

Christian Brothers was led by Green with 17 points. Fleming had 14 and Sidy Sail scored 12.

The Statesmen have a quick turnaround after improving to 8-1 on the season. DSU's next two games are also on the road at the University of West Alabama and the University of Alabama in Huntsville on Dec. 19 and 21.