Game Release
PDF includes box scores, play-by-play, and press conference transcript.

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - In the first leg of their three-game road stretch of exhibition games, the Statesmen of Delta State University faced off with the Bulldogs of Mississippi State. DSU fell 72-51 in a turnover plagued contest.
 
Both teams got off to a slow start in each squad's first appearance in a game situation, but it was the Bulldogs that got things going with a 9-0 run to open the first seven minutes of play. Mississippi State possessed the lead from beginning to end.
 
Sophomore Devin Schmidt got the Statesmen offense going with a tremendous spin move in heavy traffic that resulted in an and-one opportunity, but the missed free throw notched the score at 9-2.
 
With the shot clock winding down and the Bulldogs up by 22, a last second three-point attempt by Schmidt ricocheted off the rim into the hands of Alister Chisholm who had the put back, closing the gap to 24-2 at the 6:54 mark.
 
DSU's Jamal Hester knocked down a jumper inside the paint, while Schmidt contributed a bucket from beyond the arc to cut the lead to 28-9 and eliminating an MSU 4-0 run.
 
Jack Madgen closed out the half with buckets in the paint and behind the arc with Declan Harrick adding a basket under the goal. At the half, the Statesmen trailed 37-16, shooting 6-of-23 from the field.
 
Out of the locker room, Delta State stole the momentum, going on a 14-7 run in the opening six minutes of the second half.
 
The Bulldogs responded quickly to keep their substantial lead, never falling below a 15-point advantage.
 
Two consecutive three-pointers from Schmidt, a pair of made free throws and a jumper from Zelvin Smith set the score 62-44 in favor of the Bulldogs with just over six minutes to go in the contest.
 
Delta State matched Mississippi State step for step in the final minutes, but the advantage was too much to overcome as the Statesmen fell to the Bulldogs 72-51.
 
As a team, DSU shot 17-of-46 from the field, 7-of-17 from long range, and 10-of-18 from the free throw line. Turnovers were costly with a combined 25 on the night. Schmidt led all scorers with 25 points, going 9-of-21 from field goal range and 4-of-9 from behind the arc. Madgen joined Schmidt in double figures with 11 points. Cleveland native PJ Davis led the defensive strike with six rebounds and three blocks.
 
The Statesmen are back on the hardwood on Friday, Nov. 7 in Oxford as Delta State takes on Ole Miss at 7:00 p.m.