Box Score

CLEVELAND, Miss. – Willie Readus turned in his fourth double-double of the season, as the senior from Morton, Miss., scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Delta State University men's basketball team to a 88-36 victory over Miles College (0-4) Saturday, Dec. 7 at Walter Sillers Coliseum. 

The Statesmen (7-1) claimed their seventh consecutive victory while finishing its nonconference schedule in style, holding Miles to the fewest points allowed by DSU since a 105-40 victory over Champion Baptist on Jan. 8, 2008.

Behind the play of Devin Schmidt, who had 11 points, and Readus, who chipped in with 10, the Statesmen jumped out to a commanding 40-11 lead at the half. 

DSU shot a blistering 59.7 percent from the floor on 16-of-27 made attempts, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range.  MC connected on 5-of-26 attempts and just 1-of-5 from 3-point range.  The Statesmen out-rebounded the Golden Bears 21-13 while outscoring MC 18-6 in the paint and 10-0 off turnovers.

Carlos Chargois led Miles with five points.

DSU, which outscored MC 48-25 in the second half, built a 29-point halftime lead and never looked back.  The Statesmen placed three players in double figures, while 10 different players scored for DSU.  Joining Readus in double figures were Schmidt with 14 points and Alister Chisholm with 13.  Cornel Knight added nine points, eight rebounds and five assists.  Jack Madgen had eight points and four assists.

The Statesmen finished the game shooting 55.7 percent from the field, including 6-of-11 from 3-point range and 14-of-21 from the free throw line.  DSU out-rebounded MC 54-24 and outscored the Golden Bears 50-20 in the paint.

The Golden Bears shot a mere 24.1 percent, a season-low allowed by the Statesmen, in the game after connecting on 14-of-58 shots from the field.  Miles was 1-of-12 from 3-point range and managed 7-of-13 at the free throw line. 

Jeremy Brooks led MC with nine points and Ty Lollar chipped in with eight points.

The Statesmen open Gulf South Conference play on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn.  Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Canale Arena.  Delta State owns a 49-37 edge all-time in the series. 

The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior to tipoff.  Philip Tang will have the call.