Box Score

CLEVELAND, Miss. – Willie Readus and Devin Schmidt combined to score 28 points and grab 26 rebounds to lead No. 15 Delta State University to a 59-51 victory over the University of Alabama in Huntsville.  The Statesmen improved to 17-2 overall and 10-1 in Gulf South Conference play while the Chargers slipped to 10-9 and 6-6 in league play. 

"Lost in the stats sheet was the defensive performances tonight by Jack Madgen and Cornel Knight," DSU assistant coach Chris Richardson said after the game.  "The effort the two put into holding UAH's leading scorers in check was the difference in the game."

It was an offensive first half and not in the good way for the Statesmen and Chargers.  DSU, which made just nine field goals in the frame, led 22-17 at the break.  UAH faired no better, as the Chargers connected on seven field goals, including one 3-pointer. 

Schmidt led the Statesmen with seven points and six rebounds at the half.  Dedrick had five to pace the Chargers.

The second half started off just as slowly as the first for both teams.  With 11:18 remaining in the contest, the game was tied at 33-33.  Over the next 8:33, DSU would go on a 21-8 run to build an 11-point lead, 52-41, with 3:09 to play.

UAH's Seab Webster cut it back to eight with a 3-pointer at the 2:54 mark, but Mike Washington's monster dunk on the next possession put the Statesmen back up 10 with 2:47 to go.

The Chargers would cut it to four, 55-51, after back-to-back free throws from Greg Gardner and a layup by Garrett Cossgrove with 49.4 seconds remaining.

Readus and Cornel Knight nailed down the victory for the Statesmen by going 4-for-4 at the line in the last two possessions to seal the 59-51 win.

DSU finished the game making 36 percent from the field on 18-of-50 attempts.  The Statesmen were ice cold from 3-point range, making only 1-of-10 from beyond the arc.

In a tight game, free throws are a must and the Statesmen made 22-of-30, including 19-of-24 in the second half. 

The Statesmen out rebounded the Chargers 46-34 and outscored UAH in the paint 32-20.   

Readus collected his 10th double-double of the season with 16 points and 15 rebounds.  The senior from Morton, Miss., was 5-of-11 from the floor and 6-of-10 from the line. 

Schmidt posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Washington joined Readus and Schmidt in double figures with 11 points.

Alister Chisholm added nine points and seven rebounds off the bench.

UAH shot 28.8 percent from the field after making 17-of-59 from the floor.  The Chargers were 5-of-24 from 3-point range and 12-of-18 at the line. 

Webster led UAH with 14 points and grabbed 10 boards for the Chargers lone double-double.  Gardner had 13 points as well.  

The Statesmen face the Tigers of the University of West Alabama on Monday, Feb. 3 at Walter Sillers Coliseum.  Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.  The game is a make-up from last Thursday's snow-related postponement.