Box Score

CLEVELAND, Miss. – Zelvin Smith, Jr.'s career-high 16-point second half performance led the No. 22 Delta State University men's basketball team to a 72-57 come-from-behind victory over Valdosta State University Thursday, Feb. 27 at Walter Sillers Coliseum.  The win keeps the Statesmen in the hunt for a possible NCAA Regional host spot in March. 

Smith, Jr.'s second half was the catalyst for Delta State's 18-4 run in the decisive period.  VSU led 42-35 with 14:40 to play before the Statesmen found an extra gear on the offensive end and outscored the Blazers 37-15 down the stretch. 

"I could not be more proud of the squad after making some major adjustments at the half," DSU head coach Jim Boone said.  "Zelvin (Smith, Jr.) was a big key for us in a must win game at Sillers.  It was also a balanced effort offensively and we will need that as we continue to move forward this season."

In a first half that saw neither team find a groove offensively, the Blazers took a narrow 28-26 lead into the locker room. After building a 15-9 lead with 10:41 to go in the half, the Blazers went on a 19-11 run behind 7-of-13 shooting and fueled by four Statesmen turnovers.  Jalen Crawford paced VSU during the drive with six points.

Larry Stone led VSU with eight points at the half, while Willie Readus turned in 10 points and cleared six rebounds.   

After falling behind by seven, 42-35, with 14:40 to go on the clock, the Statesmen went zone in an effort to slow down the Blazers.  The defensive switch worked, as DSU quickly went on an 11-0 run over the next 2:08 to take a 46-42 lead on VSU.

Stone's driving lay-up at the 12:28 mark, cutting the lead back to 46-44 for the Statesmen. 

The two point deficit would be as close as the Blazers would get, as Delta State closed out the game by outscoring the opposition 26-13 over the final 10 minutes of action for the 72-57 win.

DSU finished the night holding the explosive VSU offense to 57 points and 34.3 percent from the field.  The Blazers were 23-of-67 from the floor, including a chilly 4-of-20 from 3-point range.

The Statesmen picked up their shooting in the second half en route to a 41.8 field goal percentage for the game. DSU was 23-of-55 from the floor and an amazing 23-of-26 at the free throw line. 

VSU's Jeremy McKay led all scorers with 19 points. Stone finished with 13 and Crawford added 10.

DSU placed four players in double digits, led by Smith, Jr.'s career-high 16 points.  The 6-foot-5 sophomore forward from Reserve, La., was 4-of-6 from the field and 8-of-8 at the free throw line.  The former Riverside Academy standout cleared seven rebounds, including five on the offensive end.

Cornel Knight and Jack Madgen added 15 points each.  Readus picked up his 15th double-double after scoring 14 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. 

Devin Schmidt finished the night with nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.

The Statesmen close the regular season schedule on Saturday, March 1, as Delta State welcomes the Argonauts of the University of West Florida to Walter Sillers Coliseum.  In the first meeting, the Statesmen claimed a 71-57 win in Pensacola, Fla., at the UWF Fieldhouse. DSU will honor its 2013-14 senior class following the game.