GAME NOTES
CLEVELAND, Miss. After two tough losses at home last week, the Statesmen hit the road for two games. The Statesmen have dropped the last four games for their longest losing streak of the year. This is the second longest road trip of the year as the Statesmen travel to Huntsville, Ala. and Cleveland, Tenn. Tipoff against UAH is set for 7:30 PM. on Thursday night. Tipoff against Lee on Saturday is at 3 PM (CT). Philip Tang will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network (WMJW 107.5 FM) and worldwide at GoStatesmen.com.
INSIDE THE UAH SERIES: Thursday's matchup is the 40th all-time between the Statesmen and Chargers, with Delta State owning a 21-18 all time lead in the series. Last year DSU lost two of three games against UAH. The Statesmen lost the first two matchups in the regular season but won the GSC Championship game 64-60 to win their sixth GSC Title. The Statesmen have played the Chargers seven times in the GSC Tournament. UAH is 8th in the GSC in scoring at 72.9 points per game while only giving up 63.4 ppg which is 2nd best in the GSC. Teams are only shooting 39.8% against UAH. THe Chargers only have one player in the top 25 in scoring with Sam Orf scoring 12.1 ppg but have three others over 10 ppg as well. JJ Kaplan is the second best rebounder in the conference at 9.5 rebounds per game.
INSIDE THE LEE SERIES: Saturday's matchup is the 13th meeting all-time between the Statesmen and the Flames with DSU having a 9-3 lead in the series. The Green and White are 4-2 all time against Lee in Cleveland, TN. Lee is the second best scoring team in the GSC at 77.6 ppg while only giving up 71.4 ppg. The Flames just had an 11 game win streak snapped by UWA. It was the longest streak in the GSC this season. The Flames are the best shooting team in the conference as they make 49.2% of their shots. Ryan Montomery is the senior leader for the Flames averaging 20.4 ppg which is the best in the GSC. Kentrell Evans and Parker Suedekum both average over 4 assists a game.
STREET & BROOKS FUELING STATESMEN OFFENSE: Delta State enters Thursday's game with the Argos averaging 69.5 points per game thanks to the play of junior shooting guard Keyshaun Street and junior forward Airen Brooks. Brooks leads the team in scoring at 15.9 points per game followed by Street (14.2). Brooks also averages 10.6 rebounds per game.
MR. DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Junior forward Airen Brooks continues to pace DSU, averaging 15.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. The Phenix City, Ala., native and former Shelton State CC star is 6th in the Gulf South Conference in rebounding and 1st while ranking 10th in FG percentage (46.7). In 12 starts, Brooks has recorded six double-doubles while narrowly missing out on three more.
INSTANT RESULTS: Freshman shooting guard Austin Laatsch has produced instant results for the Statesmen this season, averaging 8.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. The Birmingham, Ala., native, ranks 12th in the GSC in 3-point field goals per game (2.1) and is among the top freshman scorers in the league. He has made 36 three point shots which is 11th best in the GSC.
FLOOR GENERAL: Graduate-transfer Anderson McCoy has helped maintain the poise of the Statesmen on offense. He is averaging 11.4 ppg while also giving out 4.4 assists per game as well. In 15 games played he only has 32 turnovers while averaging 38 minutes a game.
