CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Freshman Matthew Wilson scored 19 second half points, and the Delta State University (14-15) men's basketball team used a 15-4 run in the final 2:37 to advance past Lee University (16-14), 68--58, in the first round of the Gulf South Conference Men's Basketball tournament presented by VisitSpaceCoast.com, on Tuesday at Pal Dana Walker Arena. 

THE BASICS:

    Score: Delta State 58, Lee 48
    Records: Statesmen (14-15) | Lee (16-12)
    Series: Delta State leads 8-3
    Location | Time: Paul Dana Walker Arena | 7:30 p.m. (CT)
    Get Social: Twitter - @DeltaStateMBB | Facebook – DSUStatesmen | Instagram – DSUAthletics
 
TURNING POINT:

• Trailing 54-53, the Green-and-White outscored the Flames 15-4 over the final 2:37 to survive and advance to the GSC Tournament Semifinals.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Brett Warner poured in 24 points to lead the Statesmen and went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe and 2-for-4 from downtown. 
• Matthew Wilson went 7-for-10 from the floor and 3-for-5 from behind the arc to score 19 points for the Statesmen.
• Armon Benford chipped 14 points with five steals, four assistant and four rebounds. 
• PJ Davis and Dietrich Taylor led the Statesmen with five boards before fouling out late in the second half.
• Chase Culled led the Flames with 22 points while Lexi Woods and Colton Blevins had five rebounds.
• DSU out-rebounded MC 44-30, including 14-8 on the offensive glass.
• The Green-and-White turned 18 Lee turnovers into 21 points but were out rebounded 28-24.
• Delta State went 25-of-49 for 51 percent from the floor, including 5-for-9 from 3-point land (55.6 percent) and 21-for-27 (78 percent) at the free throw line. 
• The Flames shot 41 percent (21-of-48) from the floor and 0-for-12 on 3-point field goals and 16-of-23 for 69.6 percent on free throws.

INSIDE THE FLOW:

• Lee opened up the game on a 20-6 run and held a 30-16 lead just before the half. 
• The Statesmen went on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 30-22 at the break.
• Delta State opened the second half on a 14-6 to trail 38-36 with 10:19 remaining.

NOTABLES:

• Matthew Wilson's 19 points set a new career-high, surpassing his 16 points against Auburn-Montgomery (2.3.18).
• Armon Benford tallied a career-high 14 points, eclipsing his old mark set versus Auburn-Montgomery (2.3.18).

WHO'S NEXT:

• The Statesmen advance to play No. 1 seed Valdosta  State in the semifinals of the GSC Men's Basketball Tournament presented by VisitSpaceCoast.com on Saturday, March 3 at 5 p.m. at the Pete Hanna Center in Birmingham, Alabama.