Box Score

CLEVELAND, Miss. – Devin Schmidt scored 21 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out five assists to lead the No. 24 Delta State University men's basketball team to an impressive 84-72 victory over the University of North Alabama Thursday, Jan. 16 at Walter Sillers Coliseum. 

In the decisive final 2:51 of the contest, DSU outscored UNA 14-3, including draining 10-of-13 free throw attempts to seal the win. The victory keeps DSU in first place in the Gulf South Conference race, improving to 13-2 overall and 6-1 in league play.  UNA slipped to 9-6 overall and 3-4 in GSC action. 

Schmidt's play in the second half was the difference for the Statesmen, as the freshman from Seiverville, Tenn., scored 19 of his 21 points.  He was 8-for-8 at the free throw line and cleared seven key rebounds. 

DSU finished the game connecting on 30-of-54 (55.6 percent) shots from the field, while holding the Lions to 28-of-76 (36.8 percent) shooting.  The Statesmen were 5-of-10 from 3-point range and 19-of-25 from the line.  UNA finished 7-of-27 from behind the arc and 9-of-15 at the line. 

The Statesmen placed four players in double figures, including Schmidt's 21 points.  Mike Washington scored a career-high 19 points and Willie Readus added 18 points.  Jack Madgen rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points.

Washington, a 6-foot-8 senior forward from Sanford, Fla., finished the game 8-of-14 from the floor and pulled down eight boards with a game-high three blocks. 

UNA was led by Bruce Adams' 16 points.  Rashaun Claiborne and Nathan Spehr finished with 11 points each. 
     
The Statesmen jumped out to a quick 14-5 lead at the first media timeout, but the remainder of the half would be the close contest expected as the teams headed to the locker room tied at 34-34. 

Washington led DSU with 10 at the half, while Marquel Darrington paced UNA with eight.

Delta State hosts the Bulldogs of Union University on Saturday, Jan. 18.  Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Walter Sillers Coliseum.  Philip Tang will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 3:45 p.m.