JACKSON, Tennessee - Senior Devin Schmidt moved into third all-time in the career scoring ranks in the state of Mississippi and helped the Delta University men's basketball team seal an 85-75 victory over Union University at Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium in Jackson, Tenn.
 
Inside the Matchup:
    Score: Delta State 85 | Union 75
    Records: Statesmen (19-6, 14-5 GSC) | Bulldogs (13-12, 8-11 GSC)
    Series: DSU leads series 39-13
    Location: Walter Sillers Coliseum | Cleveland, Miss.
 
How It Happened:

• Delta State jumped out to a 7-2 lead early after a Devin Schmidt layup, Brett Warner three-pointer and Cedric Harper layup.
• The Bulldogs went on a 16-6 run of their own on back-to-back three pointers by Jarad Scott and Bennett Fuzak, as well as a Alex Keel jumper.
• DSU responded, going on a 13-2 run that started with a PJ Davis jumper as the Statesmen reclaimed the 26-20 lead with 7:06 to go in the half.
• Ashanti Day hit a layup to break the almost three-minute scoreless drought, but Schmidt and Warner answered with a layup each.
• Tray Boyd shortly responded with a trio of three-pointers to tie the game at 31 apiece with 1:17 to go in the half.
• Ravion Henry nailed a crucial three to reclaim a 34-31 lead, but Day hit a pair of free throws to close the margin back to one point.
• As the half came to a close, Schmidt made a great pass to Davis to grab the layup as the half came to a close with the Statesmen leading 36-33.
• Delta State shot 15-of-29 (51.7 percent) from the floor in the first half, including 4-for-7 (57.1 percent) from beyond the arc. The Statesmen hit two of their four attempts from the charity stripe. Warner led the Statesmen with 13 points and one rebound, while Henry tallied eight points and Davis tallied six, Schmidt rounded it out with four points and five rebounds.
• Union went 12-of-27 (44.4 percent) from the field, including 7-for-17 (41.2 percent) from distance. The Bulldogs went a perfect 2-for-2 from the free throw line. Tray Boyd led the way with 11 points and one rebounds for UU. Ashanti Day chipped in seven points and five rebounds.
• Both sides came out of the locker room guns blazing, as the Bulldogs went on a 11-7 run to reclaim the 44-43 lead at the 15:25 mark.
• Schmidt responded with a long-distance three to make it a one point game and then a Davis layup to reclaim the lead, 52-51, for the Statesmen.
• The Bulldogs had an answer, however, going 4-of-5 for the half from distance resulting in a 9-0 run and extending the 60-52 lead.
• Delta State and Union went back-and-forth going into the final 10 minutes of play until Henry nailed a three to spark an 13-2 run to reclaim a 71-70 lead that they would not relinquish. 
• In the final 3:24, the Statesmen closed out the game on a 12-4 run and ultimately claimed the 85-75 victory over Union.
• Delta State shot 33-for-61 for the game (54.1 percent), including going 9-of-20 (45 percent) from three-point range. DSU went 10-of-15 (66.7 percent) at the free throw line for the game. Union was 26-of-53 (49.1 percent) from the field and 12-of-30 (40 percent) from three point range, while going 11-for-17 at the free throw line. 
• Henry had a career-high night leading the way for Delta State with 22 points, while Schmidt added 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal. Warner added 20 points, three rebounds and three assists, and Davis tallied 13 points for the Statesmen.
• Union was led by Tray Boyd, who had 20 points and only one rebound. Goodwin added 18 points and four rebounds for the Bulldogs. 

Notables:            

• Devin Schmidt moved into the third place in the 2,000 Mississippi Points Club with 2,444 points, passing former NBA player and Jackson State standout Purvis Short.
• This is the first time this season the Statesmen had three players with 20-plus points (Henry, Schmidt and Warner).
• The Statesmen scored 35 points off the bench, while Union only had 15 points.
• Delta State extended its win streak to seven games.

 
Who's Next:

• The Green-and-White return to Cleveland to host Christian Brothers University for the final regular season home game as well as senior day on Feb. 18 at 4 p.m.