CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Delta State University men's basketball team shot 50 percent from the field and suffocated Lee University, who shot just 28% from three-point territory, in snaring a 73-61 win over the Flames on Thursday night at Walter Sillers Coliseum.

Inside the Matchup:
    Score: Delta State 73 | Lee 61
    Records: Statesmen (17-6, 12-5 GSC) | Flames (9-14, 8-9 GSC)
    Series: The all-time series 7-1
    Location: Walter Sillers Coliseum | Cleveland, Miss.

How It Happened:

• Lee started the game on a 7-2 run, with baskets from Rico Overall and Keevin Tyus.
• A Ravion Henry layup sparked a quick 6-0 run and Delta State claimed a 11-9 advantage, its first lead of the night.
• The Statesmen locked down the Flames offense for an early part of the first half.
• After a Tyus layup to tie the game at 11-11, DSU quickly went on a 7-0 run to reclaim an 18-11 lead.
• Lee battled back, scoring three straight layups to bring the margin to one point, but the Statesmen answered, scoring three straight layups of their own.
• Both squads went back-and-forth till the end of the opening half with Lee going scoreless for over two minutes as Delta State claimed a 33-24 at halftime.
• Delta State shot 13-of-29 (45 percent) from the floor in the first half, going only 2-for-11 from three-point land. The Statesmen made five of seven attempts from the free throw line. Schmidt led DSU with 10 points while Warner chipped in eight and Cedric Harper secured five points and five rebounds.
• Lee went 10-of-25 (40 percent) from the field, including 3-for-11 from distance. The Flames only hit one of two from the free throw line. Overall led with 10 points, Tyus added six and Montgomery and Coby Jones secured four apiece.
• Both teams traded buckets at the start of the second half, but a huge dunk by PJ Davis extended the Statesmen lead by 11 points at the 16:26 mark.
• Quickly after, Lee sparked a 12-2 run, but back-to-back Schmidt three-pointers maintained the 47-40 lead.
• Late in the second half, the Statesmen locked down on defense against the Flames offense, holding them scoreless for over five minutes.
• Both offenses were back-and-forth until Schmidt scored nine points in the final four minutes plus Kilpatrick with a layup and Davis chipping in three to ice the game and claim the 73-61 victory.
• Delta State finished 29-for-58 for the game (50 percent), including going 11-of-15 (73 percent) from the free throw line. DSU went 4-of-19 (21 percent) beyond the arc for the game.
• Lee was 23-of-58 (40 percent) from the field and 8-of-29 (28 percent) from three point range, while hitting seven of its 16 attempts at the free throw line. 
• Schmidt led the way for Delta State with 27 points and seven rebounds. Davis had 19 points, nine rebounds and two assists, while Warner and Henry added eight and Harper secured seven points.
• Lee was led by 21 points from Ryan Montgomery, and Overall added 17 points including 6-of-10 shooting from the field. Keevin Tyus added 11 points and two rebounds for the visitors. 

Notables:          

• The Statesmen led for over 30 minutes in the game. 
• The Statesmen outscored Lee 33-24 in the opening half and 40-37 in the final half.
• With the win, the Statesmen officially clinched a spot in the GSC playoffs. 

   
Who's Next:

• The Statesmen wrap up their five game home stand with a tilt against Shorter at Walter Sillers Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. Delta State will then hit the road for a Feb. 16 contest at Union and then returns home for Senior Day on Feb. 18 against Christian Brothers.