Schmidt
74
Shorter SU 11-5, 6-4 GSC
79
Winner Delta State University DSU 10-6, 7-3 GSC
Shorter SU
11-5, 6-4 GSC
74
Final
79
Delta State University DSU
10-6, 7-3 GSC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Shorter SU 74 0 74
Delta State University DSU 79 0 79

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Matt Jones

Schmidt and Cotton Lift Statesmen Over Hawks, 79-74

Inside the Matchup
  • Score: Statesmen 79 – Hawks 74
  • Records: Delta State (10-6, 7-3 GSC); Shorter (11-5, 6-4 GSC)
  • Series: This was the fifth meeting between the Hawks and Statesmen. DSU leads the all-time series 4-1.
  • Location: Lloyd Clark Court at Walter Sillers Coliseum | Cleveland, Miss.
  • Short Story: Devin Schmidt's 27 points and LaQuavious Cotton's 16 points powered the Delta State University men's basketball team to a 79-74 victory over Shorter University on Monday, Jan. 12 at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The victory lifted the Statesmen into a first place tie for the Gulf South Conference with the University of Alabama in Huntsville. DSU claimed in third-straight GSC contest along the way.  
  • Video: Highlights

How It Happened
  • With the Statesmen leading 75-73 and the game on the line, Devin Schmidt knocked down a 15-foot fade away jumper to extend DSU's lead to four with 10 seconds remaining. DSU salted away the game at the line on LaQuavious Cotton's two free throws.
  • Delta State attacked the basket in the second half, forcing the Hawks into foul trouble and putting the Statesmen at the line. Down the decisive 10-minute stretch, the Statesmen hit 18-of-22 at the stripe and 8-of-9 in the final 4:12 of the contest.
  • The Statesmen shot 49 percent (24-of-49) on the night from the floor and 70.6 percent (24-of-34) at the free throw line. DSU made 7-of-16 (43.8 percent) from 3-point range, including 3-of-7 from Devin Schmidt.
  • Shorter's offense came in averaging 88.3 points per game, but the Hawks were held 14 points below their average. SU shot 44.4 percent (28-of-63) from the field, but managed just 54.5 percent (12-of-22) at the free throw line.
  • There were 17 lead changes and 10 ties in the game.
  • Devin Schmidt's 27 points marked the 11th time this season that the sophomore guard has topped 15 points in a game. The Sevierville, Tenn., native was 9-of-18 from the field, 3-of-7 from 3-point range and 6-of-9 at the line for the Statesmen. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists.
  • DSU's LaQuavious Cotton scored 16 points on the night for DSU while Alister Chisholm 11.
  • GSC Freshman of the Week P.J. Davis turned in his second double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
  • Shorter's Dedric Ware led all scorers with 29 points. Jordan Jacks added 19.      
  • Delta State led 44-43 at the half on a Bryce Rowe driving lay-up at the buzzer.
  • The Statesmen shot 53.3 percent (16-of-30) in the first half from the floor and 6-of-11 from 3-point range. The Hawks connected on 48.5 percent (16-of-33) from the floor and were 4-of-11 from 3-point land.
  • Devin Schmidt paced the Statesmen with 18 points at halftime while Dedric Ware led Shorter and all scorers with 22 points.
  • The two teams combined for just eight first turnovers.

Beyond the Numbers
  • Delta State head coach Jim Boone is in his third season at the helm of the Statesmen. In his three seasons at DSU, the Statesmen are 47-29, including a 26-7 mark in 2013-14. The Winfield, W.V., native has amassed an all-time record of 477-357 and an outstanding 385-195 mark in NCAA Division II during his 29 years as a head coach.
  • Junior guard Jack Madgen eclipsed 800-career points after scoring nine against the Hawks. He has played in 75 games as a Statesman.
  • Sevierville, Tenn., native Devin Schmidt lacks 18 points to reach the same milestone in just a year and a half. The guard surpassed 200 career assists on Saturday, Jan. 10 versus Lee University.
  • PJ Davis, of Cleveland, ranks 36th nationally in total blocks with 26. The freshman is responsible for almost half of the team's total blocks (60). For his performance last week, Davis earned his third GSC Freshman of the Week honor.
  • Another Cleveland native, LaQuavius Cotton, has stepped up as a starting guard, scoring in double figures the last two games including a career-high 19 points at North Alabama.
  • The Statesmen own the No. 2 spot in NCAA Division II in free-throw percentage at 79.4 percent.
  • Delta State ranks second, behind Shorter, in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 49.9 percent on the year.  

Who's Next
  • The Statesmen renew their rivalry with the Choctaws of Mississippi College on Saturday, Jan. 17. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at the A.E. Wood Coliseum. Philip Tang and Scott Wyant will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 3:45 p.m. 
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