Box Score CLEVELAND, MISS. - The Delta State University Statesmen basketball team held the Union University Bulldogs to only 10 points in the final 7:50 to hold on for a 59-56 victory, Thursday at Walter Sillers Coliseum.
 
DSU (8-11, 4-7) trailed by as many as seven points in the second half, but used a 10-2 run to take a 51-50 lead on a Mike Weems three-pointer with 10:15 remaining.
 
The contest featured six ties and 17 lead changes, including a first half that saw neither team lead by more than five points.
 
Union (4-14, 2-10) used a Corieon Pearson basket with seven seconds remaining to tie the game at 29-29 at halftime.
 
Jack Madgen led all scorers with 10 points at the half. Dani Marti paced the Bulldogs with seven in the first half.
 
DSU finished the opening half 12-of-28 (42.9), while Union was 10-of-18 (55.6) from the floor.
 
Cornell Knight's jump shot with 6:38 remaining gave the Statesmen a 47-46 lead. DSU did not relinquish the lead following the basket.
 
Pedro Faller put a scare into the home crowd with a long three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining, cutting the lead to 56-54. Each team then traded a pair of free throws, before Cornell Knight made 1-of-2 from the free throw line with six seconds left.
 
Daniel Marti's long three ball at the buzzer was short, as DSU held on for the win.
 
DSU finished 22-of-54 (40.7), while Union was 19-of-44 (43.2), including 7-of-12 (58.3) from the free throw line.
 
Cornell Knight led all scorers for the Statesmen. Jack Madgen added 16 for DSU. Pedro Faller led Union with 12. AJ Roberts added 10 for the Bulldogs.
 
The Statesmen return to action on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the University of North Alabama. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.