Box Score CLEVELAND, Miss. – Willie Readus scored a career-high 36 points to lead the Delta State University Men's Basketball team to a 91-81 victory over Shorter University Monday, Jan. 9 at Walter Sillers Coliseum.  The Morton, Miss., native recorded his ninth double-double after grabbing 11 rebounds in the performance.

The Statesmen improved to 11-2 on the season and 4-1 in Gulf South Conference play.  The 11 victories match the season win total from last year.  DSU's 91 points were also a season high.  Shorter slipped to 4-7 and 1-4 in the GSC. 

After the Statesmen built a 17-point lead, 30-13, with 6:19 to play in the first, the Hawks closed the half on a 20-9 run to make it a four-point game at the break, 37-33. 

DSU built an early lead, thanks in part to their 22-10 domination on the glass.  However, the Hawks used the 3-pointer to get back into the contest, nailing 4-of-12 attempts, including three in their final six possessions of the half.  SU also held a 10-2 edge in points off turnovers.

The Statesmen finished the half making 14-of-27 shots for 51.9 percent, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range and all five of their free throw attempts. 

Like a wave, the Hawks just kept throwing up attempts in the first, connecting on 13-of-31 (41.9 percent), but made just 3-of-7 at the free throw line.

Ware led Shorter and all scorers with 10 points at the half.  DSU's Madgen and Schmidt had eight points apiece. 

The Hawks would make it a tight contest in the second half, cutting the DSU lead down to one, 71-70, on a Dedric Ware 3-pointer with 4:21 to play. 

Over the final 4:11, the Statesmen would go on to outscore the Hawks 20-14 to claim the 91-81 victory.  DSU made 10-of-10 from the free throw line during that stretch, as Readus (6-6), Schmidt (2-2) and Weems (2-2) calmly iced their attempts.

DSU shot a blistering 60.7 percent (17-28) in the second to finish the game connecting on 56.4 percent (31-of-55) of its attempts.  The Statesmen were near perfect at the line in game, making 25-of-29 shots. 

Shorter made 45.5 percent (15-of-33) in the second period, while making 43.8 percent (28-of-64) for the game.  The Hawks canned eight 3-pointers, the third most allowed this season by DSU, and 17-of-24 from the line in the loss.  

The Statesmen outscored the Hawks 48-34 in the paint, but it was the Hawks' bench that proved to be a major issue for DSU 24-12 edge in scoring. 

Readus, a senior from Morton, Miss., was the rock for the Statesmen throughout the game, finishing with his ninth double-double of the season.  The former Jackson State transfer scored a career-high 36 points and cleared 11 rebounds in the win.  He finished 11-of-20 from the field, but was an outstanding 14-of-17 from the line. 

Devin Schmidt had an equally impressive outing, scoring 18 points, pulling down eight boards and handing out a game-high seven assists. 

Jack Madgen added 12 points and four assists, while Mike Washington chipped in 11 points, and two key baskets in the final 4:10 of the game.

Ware paced four Hawks in double figures with 24 points after making 4-of-7 from 3-point range.  Travis Jones (17), Curtis Woods (15) and Jordan Jacks (12) were also in double digits. 

Delta State hits the road for its first-ever meeting on the hardwood with Lee University on Thursday, Jan. 9.  Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Walker Arena in Cleveland, Tenn.  Philip Tang will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network beginning at 7:45 p.m. ET with the "DSU Alumni Association Game Day Report."