GAME NOTES: West Alabama/Montevallo at Delta State
Complete weekly release with notes, stats, rankings & more in PDF

CLEVELAND, Miss. - The wait is finally over for the Delta State University men's basketball team, as the Statesmen (3-2, 0-0 GSC) open Gulf South Conference action this Thursday, Nov. 29 (7:30 p.m.) versus the University of West Alabama (2-2, 0-0 GSC) and Saturday, Dec. 1 (4 p.m.) versus the University of Montevallo (3-2, 0-0 GSC). DSU split with the Tigers in 2017-18, while winning both matchups against the Falcons. Series capsules on each of this week's opponents are available on page four. Both games will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network and streamed live on GoStatesmen TV.

Delta State Athletics will also take time to honor retiring director of athletics Ronnie Mayers during a special pregame ceremony. Mayers has been a staple at DSU since stepping foot on the Cleveland campus as a student-athlete.  The Natchez, Miss., native has served the department as Head Swim Coach, Director of Aquatics, Assistant Professor of HPER, and Assistant Athletic Director for Special Projects and Development. 

Fans bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the game on Saturday will receive free admission. There will also be an ugly sweater competition and several in-game promotions presented by Cannon Motor Company and Wendy's!
  Coming off a run to the 2017-18 GSC championship game, The Statesmen were picked to finish third in the annual Preseason GSC Coaches Poll. Valdosta State was picked to win the league followed by West Florida, DSU, Christian Brothers and Lee in the top five.

Senior guard Brett Warner, a preseason All-GSC selection, comes into this week ranked ninth in the league in points per game (16.2). The Collierville, Tenn., native became the 18th player in DSU history to top 1,000 career points with his 22 point effort versus Fisk on Nov. 15, 2018 at Sillers Coliseum. He is currently 17th on the career scoring chart with 1,070 points.
5 Cedric Harper is putting up career numbers for the Statesmen, averaging 11.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. The Tallahassee, Fla., native currently leads the GSC in blocks (10) and field goal percentage (70.3.%).

Senior point guard Armon Benford ranks fifth in GSC in assists per game (4.8). The Chicago, Ill., native is also averaging 8.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Benford had a season-best 11 points, 12 rebounds and four assists in DSU's 84-66 win over Cumberland University.

Matthew Wilson, a 6-2 sophomore guard, has become a major scoring threat for the Statesmen, averaging 10.2 points per game (35th GSC). He ranks eighth in the GSC in 3-point FG percentage (43.5%) and ninth in 3-pointers made (10).

Junior forward Justin Slocum has burst onto the scene, averaging 11.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The Macon, Ga., native is currently sixth in rebounds per game in the GSC.

Delta State head coach Jim Boone needs just one win to eclipse the 450-victory plateau in his career.  The Winfield, W.V., native is 449-241 in 22 seasons at the Division II level and 542-403 in 32 years overall.