Box Score

CLEVELAND, Miss. – Willie Readus and Devin Schmidt combined for 41 points and 13 rebounds, as No. 21 Delta State University (20-3, 13-2 GSC) cruised past Lee University (8-12, 4-10 GSC) 75-57 Thursday, Feb. 13 in front of 1,323 fans at Walter Sillers Coliseum.  The duo finished night 15-of-28 from the field en route to DSU's 20th victory of the year and its first 20-win season since the Statesmen went 21-9 during the 2008-2009 campaign.

"Proud of what we have accomplished so far, but there is so much more in front of us," DSU head coach Jim Boone said. "All our goals are still in front of this team and we have to grind it out to the finish.  Devin Schmidt and Willie Readus led us on the floor tonight, while we got some big minutes out of Zelvin Smith, Jr."

Behind Readus's game-high 15 points, the Statesmen built a 20-point halftime lead, 42-22, over the Flames.  The 6-foot-8 senior forward was 4-of-6 from the field and 7-of-8 at the free throw line in the first 20 minutes.  Schmidt added eight points and three assists.

DSU shot 50 percent (12-of-24) in the opening frame, while holding Lee to just 28 percent (7-of-25) from the floor.  DSU made 3-of-5 from 3-point land and 15-of-20 at the free throw line, while the Flames were 4-of-12 from 3-point range and 4-of-7 at the line.

Lee's Corey Billingsley and Chad Lee had six points each at the break. 

In the second half, Lee picked up their play significantly on the offensive end of the court, outscoring 35-33.  The Flames cut the Statesmen lead to 12, 51-39 on Valentino Thomas' layup with 12:46 to play in the half. 

DSU finally found it's rhythm and put the game away with 19-10 run over the next 10:37 for a commanding 70-47 lead with 2:43 to play.

The Statesmen and Flames would closeout the second half trading baskets to make the final 75-57.

Delta State finished the night shooting 52 percent after making 26-of-50 shots from the floor, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range.  The Statesmen were also 18-of-26 from the free throw line and outscored Lee 38-28 in the paint. 

Schmidt, a freshman from Sevierville, Tenn., scored a game-high 21 points while clearing five rebounds and handing out four assists.  Readus, a senior from Morton, Miss., had 20 points and grabbed eight boards in the win.  He also dished out a career-high four assists.

Sophomore forward Smith, Jr., finished with 11 points and four boards as well.  Alister Chisholm had seven points with Cornel Knight adding six points.

DSU held Lee to 35.8 percent on the night, as the Flames hit on just 19-of-53 attempts and a mere 5-of-20 from 3-point range.  LU was also 14-of-22 at the line. 

The Flames outscored the Statesmen 17-9 off turnovers, but DSU's bench play was a key in the victory with 20 points.  In the end the game was tied twice and there were four first half lead changes.     
 
Jamal Worthington and Billingsley had 11 points each to lead the Flames. Lee had eight points and seven rebounds as well.  
 
The Statesmen welcomes Christian Brothers University back to Sillers Coliseum on Monday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m.  The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11, but was rescheduled due to hazardous traveling conditions.  DSU edged CBU 65-63 on Schmidt's 24 points and eight rebounds in their first meeting on Dec. 14 at Canale Arena in Memphis, Tenn.