MONTICELLO, Ark. – No. 21 Delta State University men's basketball traveled to Monticello on Saturday to face off with the Boll Weevils of Arkansas-Monticello. DSU fell to UAM, 63-53, at Steelman Field House to fall to 2-3 on the season.
 
The Statesmen went on a 7-0 run to start the game before Monticello quickly responded to tie the game at 7-7 to head into the first media timeout.
 
UAM used baskets from behind the arc on consecutive possessions to go up 17-11 at the 10:56 mark.
 
The Weevils continued to expand on their lead and maintained the advantage until the end of the half. DSU and Monticello traded buckets in the last three minutes to notch the score at 27-25 in favor of the Weevils, closing out the half.
 
Second half play consisted of three ties and three lead changes, proving the intensity of the contest.
 
Williamstown, Australia native Jack Madgen gave the Statesmen the boost they needed when LaQuavius Cotton connected with him beyond the arc on back-to-back trips down the court to give DSU the slight 40-39 advantage with 12 minutes left in the contest.
 
Another three from guard Devin Schmidt extended the Delta State lead to four, 43-39, but it was short lived as the Weevils began to make a comeback, tying the game and retaking the lead.
 
Monticello earned its largest advantage of the night with 30 seconds left in the game on a pair of made free throws for UAM to go up 56-45.
 
Delta State inched within seven when Madgen drained a jumper in the paint, but the deficit was too much for the Statesmen to overcome late in the game. Monticello clinched the win, 63-53, for DSU to suffer its second straight loss.
 
The Weevils executed on Delta State mistakes, scoring 18 points on 19 DSU turnovers. As a team, the Green-and-White went 21-of-50 from the floor, including 6-of-13 from downtown. Senior guard Alister Chisholm led the Statesmen with 12 points, while Madgen and Cotton contributed double figures with 10 points each. Zelvin Smith Jr led the defensive play with nine rebounds.
 
Up next for the Statesmen is a matchup with the Warriors of the College of Faith at Walter Sillers Coliseum on Monday, Dec. 1. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.