LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Delta State University men's basketball suffered a tough loss on the road to the Tigers of West Alabama at Pruitt Hall on Thursday night. With the 72-65 loss, the Statesmen drop to 11-7 overall and 8-4 in Gulf South Conference play.

Inside the Matchup

• Score: Tigers 72 – Statesmen 65
• Records: Delta State (11-7, 8-4 GSC); West Alabama (12-8, 7-5 GSC)
• Series: This marked the 66th meeting between the Tigers and Statesmen. DSU leads the all-time series 39-27.
• Location: Pruitt Hall | Livingston, Ala.
• Short Story: Delta State University men's basketball suffered a tough loss on the road to the Tigers of West Alabama at Pruitt Hall on Thursday night. With the 72-65 loss, the Statesmen drop to 11-7 overall and 8-4 in Gulf South Conference play.

How It Happened

• Four ties and three lead changes occurred in the opening 9:11 of the contest.
• The Statesmen gained some momentum on a fastbreak 3-pointer when Devin Schmidt found senior LaQuavius Cotton behind the arc to take the lead 22-20 at the 6:19 mark.
• Three more ties and two more lead changes closed out the first half. A Brice Rowe free throw deadlocked the score at 27-27 heading into the half.
• UWA opened the second half on fire by taking the lead and holding the momentum.
• The Tigers then went on a decisive 11-3 run to lead 47-39 with 10:53 to go in the game.
• Earning its largest lead of the night at nine points, West Alabama continued to extend its lead.
• Delta State inched within as many five in the final minutes but never could close the gap, falling to the Tigers, 72-65, and snapping a four-game win streak.
• Schmidt led the offensive attack for DSU scoring 19 points and handing out nine assists. Three other Statesmen joined Schmidt in double figures. Cotton and Jack Madgen each contributed 14 points, while PJ Davis tacked on 11 points and led the team in rebounding with nine.
• On the night, Delta State shot 46.2 percent (24-of-52) from the field, 43.8 percent (7-of-16) from downtown, and 43.8 percent (10-of-13) from the charity stripe.
• Cotton led the way from the perimeter, draining three 3-pointers, while Madgen and Schmidt added two apiece.
   

Beyond the Numbers

• This matchup marked the second half of conference play for Delta State. The Statesmen earned the victory in the first contest of the year, winning 73-66 at Walter Sillers Coliseum on Dec. 6, 2014.
• DSU has not won at Pruitt Hall since Dec. 2, 2010.
• Devin Schmidt and PJ Davis were within reach of double-doubles as Schmidt scored 19 points and dished out nine assists. Davis chipped in 11 points and hauled in nine rebounds.
• The duo swept the GSC weekly honors with Schmidt earning his first Player of the Week accolade of the season and Davis garnering his fourth Freshman of the Week laurel.
   

Who's Next

• Delta State wraps up the road trip against West Georgia on Saturday, Jan. 24. Tipoff against the Wolves is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Philip Tang and Scott Wyant will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 3:45 p.m.