CLEVELAND, Mississippi – The Delta State men's basketball team continued its winning streak in a thrilling 84-80 victory over the University of North Alabama on Jan. 12, 2017, at Walter Sillers Coliseum.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Score: Delta State 84 | UNA 80
Records: Statesmen (11-3, 6-2 GSC) | Lions (7-7, 2-6 GSC)
Series: Delta State leads the series 45-42
Location: Walter Sillers Coliseum | Cleveland, Miss.
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Statesmen opened the contest scoring the first bucket of the game 1:05 seconds into play to take an early 2-0 lead.
• The Statesmen held UNA scoreless until the 15^th minute.
• The Lions used a 9-2 run to pull ahead of the Statesmen, 9-8.
• Both teams traded buckets, and the Statesmen managed to pull ahead 23-21 at the 5:29 mark.
• At the 4:24 mark, a technical foul almost proved costly for the Statesmen, as the Lions used the momentum to gain a five-point lead—their largest of the half—31-26.
• However, a layup by Devin Schmidt and 3-pointer from Brett Warner put the Statesmen up 36-31 with 1:09 minutes left in the first half.    
• With nine seconds left in the first half, Dimario Jackson's 3-pointer cut the Statesmen's lead by 2.
• The lead changed nine times in the first half, but DSU was able to hold UNA to just a 35.3 FG%.
• Delta State maintained its two-point lead at the start of the second half, but a 3-pointer by Tavaras Tolliver gave the Lions' their first lead of the second half (41-40).
• John Cornish's 3-pointer at the 15:53 mark put the Statesmen back on top 43-41.
• The Lions managed to tie the game a few seconds later, but the Statesmen used a 10-4 run to surge ahead.
• Delta State continued to dominate the court, but UNA tied the game 73-all with 4:30 left of play.
• Both teams fought to take control of the game, but the Statesmen ultimately surged ahead.
• Free throws made the difference as the Statesmen went 31-46 on the free throw, compared to UNA (18-26).
• Tolliver, Jackson, and Johnell Ginnie led the Lions' offense with 26, 18, and 12 points, respectively.  
• Devin Schmidt led DSU with 26 points, followed by Ravion Henry (14), Cedric Harper (11) and John Cornish (10).

 
 
NOTABLES:

• The Statesmen extended their winning streak to four games—the longest winning streak of the season thus far.
• Delta State's 84 points are the third highest of the season, while UNA's 80 points were the second highest the Statesmen have faced by an opponent thus far.
• The Statesmen made a season high of 31 free throws.
• Henry's 14 points were one shy of tying his career high.

 
 
UP NEXT:
The Green-and-White will face No. 21 Alabama Huntsville on Saturday, Jan. 14. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.