Box Score
CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The Statesmen of Delta State University looked to spoil a 23-game home win streak held by Lee in Walker Arena since 2012. DSU remained victorious as they continued their conference hot streak in Gulf South Conference play. Delta State moves to 12-2 on the season and 5-1 in conference play. Lee falls to 6-5 overall and 2-3 in conference play.
Recently ranked No. 1 in the Gulf South Conference poll, the Statesmen had a new target on their backs that coincides with being at the top.
The talent on both squads was apparent as each team swapped baskets through the first 15 minutes of play. Freshman
Devin Schmidt had the hot hand as he led DSU at the half with nine points. A foul-plagued first half put
Willie Readus and
Mike Washington in early foul trouble. Lee provided a spark that led to an 8-0 mark with 5:17 left before intermission. The Green-and-White fought back with a three-pointer from Schmidt to deadlock the score at 27-27 with just over three minutes left. Delta State tied it again at 29 on a bucket from Alister Chisolm. A last second Lee buzzer beater put the Flames up by two, 31-29, heading into the locker room.
The Statesmen tied the game again in the opening seconds of the last half. The two squads continued to trade baskets until Lee had the slight six-point edge on Delta State at the 15:19 mark to lead 39-33. The Green-and-White evened the game once again on a jumper from
Cornel Knight and a pair of made free throws from
Mike Washington to knot the game at 39-39 with 13:30 remaining in the game. The Statesmen gained their first lead of the night when Knight connected with Washington who banked in a jumper to go 44-43. Delta State extended their lead to 48-44 with two made free throws and a bucket under the basket by
Willie Readus with just under seven minutes to play. The Flames regained the lead on a three from Chad Lee but not before Statesman
Devin Schmidt responded taking the lead right back by going coast-to-coast for the easy layup. Two more lead changes occurred before DSU escaped Lee's threat by routing the decisive 15-3 run to close out the game and take the 67-56 win.
Devin Schmidt guided the Statesmen to its fourth straight conference win as he led with 19 points.
Willie Readus added 16 points and
Mike Washington added 10 to join Schmidt in double figures.
The Green-and-White shot 24-of-50 from the field (48.0%), 2-of-7 from long range (28.6%), and 17-of-22 from the free throw line (77.3%). The Statesmen defense held the Flames to 37.9 percent from the field.
DSU returns to Walter Sillers Coliseum to face the Lion of North Alabama on Thursday, Jan. 16. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
