CLEVELAND, Mississippi – The Delta State University men's basketball team scored a season-high 96 points, and shot 51 percent in a 96-65 victory over Bethel University (Tenn.) in its final non-conference contest, on Thursday night at Walter Sillers Coliseum.
 
Inside the Matchup:
 
    Score: Delta State 96 | Bethel 65
    Records:  Statesmen (6-1) | Wildcats (9-3)
    Series: DSU leads series 14-8
    Location: Lloyd Clark Court at Walter Sillers Coliseum | Cleveland, Miss.
 
 
How It Happened:
 

• The Statesmen opened the game on a 20-7 spurt that saw them go seven of their first nine from the floor, including 4-of-5 from three point range. Devin Schmidt (10) and Brett Warner (8) combined to score 18 of the first 20 points.
• DSU's lead grew to 34-17 at the halfway point of the first half, helped by continued hot shooting and holding the visitors to just 33 percent (7-of-21) from the floor. The Statesmen also shared the ball well in the opening 10 minutes, as they had 10 helpers on 13 made baskets.
• The Statesmen took their biggest lead of the half on a jumper by James Kilpatrick, making the score 44-17 with 6:14 left.
• Over the final 4:55 Bethel closed the first half on an 8-2 run, as the Statesmen took a 48-29 lead at halftime.
• The Statesmen shot 52 percent (18-of-34) in the first half, while holding Bethel to just 35 percent (12-of-34).
• Warner led all scorers with 12 first half points. Marcus Burnett led the visitors with 10 points and eight rebounds.
• After a three pointer cut the lead to 50-34 with 18:49 left, the Statesmen responded with a 16-5 run to lead 68-39 with 12-57 remaining.
• DSU took its biggest lead of the game, with 2:45 remaining, when a Dietrich Taylor tip in made the score 94-59.
• The Statesmen finished 35-of-68 (51 percent), while the Wildcats were 25-of-62 (40 percent). Bethel finished 8-of-18 shooting (44 percent) from long-range, including 7-of-11 in the second half.
• Five Statesmen finished the game in double figures. Schmidt led the way with 18 points and tied for a team high with eight rebounds. Warner had 11 points, followed by Ravion Henry with 15, PJ Davis with 12 and John Cornish (11). James Kilpatrick and Taylor also pulled down eight boards.
• Tyrus Robinson had 14 points in the second half to lead the Wildcats with 16 points. Burnett finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
• DSU capitalized off 17 Bethel miscues, scoring 25 points. The Statesmen held a 43-35 edge on the boards.

 
 
Notables:     
      

• Warner's 17 points tied a career high, while Henry's 15 established a career-best.
• The Statesmen held Bethel to 10 percent below its season shooting average.
• Schmidt needs just four points to pass Billy McDaniel (2002-05) for fifth place on the Gulf South Conference all-time scoring list.
• DSU has out-rebounded its last five opponents.

 
Who's Next:
 

• Delta State returns to Gulf South Conference play on Thursday, Dec. 15, when it travels to Shorter University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.