MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Delta State University Statesmen traveled to Canale Arena to take on No. 20 Christian Brothers on Thursday night. DSU defeated the Bucs 72-68 in a thrilling Gulf South Conference matchup. Delta State improves to 5-4 on the season and 2-1 in league play.
 
The contest meant a redemption opportunity for Delta State that stemmed from last season's semifinal loss to Christian Brothers in the conference tournament.
 
Sophomore Devin Schmidt led four Statesmen in double-figures with 19 points on 6-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-5 from long range, and a perfect 5-for-5 from the line. Alister Chisholm added 16 points, while Zelvin Smith Jr. and LaQuavius Cotton tallied 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
Delta State took advantage of early Christian Brothers turnovers, scoring 11 points on eight CBU miscues in the first half.
 
Early in the first half, DSU's defense ran time off the shot clock, forcing the Bucs to put up a last second desperation three from Jeff Larkin. The shot found the bottom of the net, but Schmidt matched the effort by draining a 3-pointer on the next possession, notching the score at 5-3 at the 17:18 mark.
 
Two highly defensive teams produced a low-scoring affair in the early minutes of the game.
 
The Statesmen went on a crucial 16-6 run over five minutes to give DSU the 26-16 lead with 6:42 to go in the half.
 
Christian Brothers slowly started to chip away at the deficit, scoring on three consecutive possessions.
 
Down by three with the final seconds of the half ticking off, CBU's Larkin threw up a last second shot. The bucket counted, cutting the lead to one, 33-32, in favor of the Statesmen, with both teams heading into the locker room.
 
Out of the break, CBU took the lead on a pair of layups, but a huge three-point play by Smith tied the game for the fourth time. Drawing the foul, the fastbreak bucket fell and Smith converted at the free throw line, tying the game at 37-37.
 
Delta State continued to build on its lead, going on a 9-0 run over 1:35 to take the 44-37 advantage with 14:31 to go in the contest.
 
The Statesmen defense succeeded in containing CBU's Trey Casey for the most part, but the league's leading scorer got the hot hand late in the game and drained back-to-back 3-pointers.
 
DSU quickly snatched the momentum back starting when Schmidt found LaQuavius Cotton soaring over the rim for the lob pass and dunk. The Green-and-White went on to gain their largest lead of the night at 14, reeling off a 14-2 run over 3:21.
 
Christian Brothers used four consecutive 3-pointers to spark a 16-2 run late in the game, deadlocking the game at 62-62 with 3:39 to go.
 
The Green-and-White capitalized at the free throw line in the closing two minutes, which ended up deciding the contest. Delta State defeated No. 20 Christian Brothers by a final 72-68.
 
Up next for DSU is a tough road match against Union in Jackson on Saturday, Dec. 13. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m.