CLEVELAND, Mississippi – The Delta State University men's basketball team held West Alabama to just 36 percent shooting and hung on late for a 57-54 victory in Gulf South Conference action on Monday night at Walter Sillers Coliseum.
 
Inside the Matchup:
 
    Score: Delta State 57 | West Alabama 54
    Records: Statesmen (10-3, 5-2 GSC) | Tigers (8-5, 3-4 GSC)
    Series: DSU leads series 42-27
    Location: Walter Sillers Coliseum | Cleveland, Miss.
 
 
How It Happened:
 

• DSU took advantage of a 1-of-7 start from the floor by the visitors to take an early 7-2 lead with 15:20 left in the half.
• The defense led the way for the Statesmen over the rest of the first half, allowing just three field goals over the final 7:28 to take a 26-20 lead into halftime.
• UWA finished the half just 8-of-21 (32 percent) from the floor. DSU was 11-of-24 (46 percent).
• The Statesmen held a 17-15 edge on the boards and scored 10 points off six Tiger turnovers. DSU outscored the visitors 18-8 in the paint.
• Ravion Henry and Brett Warner led DSU with six points apiece at the half. Jahmal Lane and Gavin Robinson chipped in six to lead UWA.
• Although the Statesmen held West Alabama to just one field goal over the first 9:15 of the second half, DSU held a narrow 38-33 lead with 11:33 left in the contest. The Tigers offense relied on the free throw line, hitting nine during their scoring drought.
• The Tigers got to within 38-37 on a pair of free throws by Billy Ingram, but DSU responded with an 8-1 run to lead 46-38 with 5:48 remaining.
• UWA responded, cutting the DSU lead to 48-45 with 3:52, but the Statesmen went on a 5-0 spurt, making the score 53-45 with 1:59 left.
• A layup by Ingram and a three pointer by Johnny Stallworth cut the lead to 53-50 with 29 seconds left, but a basket and a pair of free throws by Schmidt helped seal the victory.
• UWA finished 18-of-50 (36 percent), while the Lady Statesmen were 22-of-50 (44 percent). DSU was just 2-of-11 from long-range. The Tigers were just 3-of-15. DSU was out-rebounded 36-32 but forced 16 turnovers.
• The Statesmen dominated the paint, outscoring the Tigers 34-22.
• Lane led the Tigers with 12 points. Devin Schmidt led DSU with 15 points, including 12 in the second half. Brett Warner added 11, while Dietrich Taylor had nine points and a game high nine boards.

 
Notables:            

• The Statesmen have held their last two opponents (UWG, UWA) to just 36 percent shooting.
• Taylor's nine points and nine rebounds were a career high.
• The Statesmen have outscored opponents 455-398 in the first half.
• DSU's victory snapped a four game win streak for the Tigers.

 
Who's Next:

• Delta State continues its home stand on Thursday, Jan. 12, when it hosts North Alabama. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.