CLINTON, Miss. – The Delta State University men;s basketball team defeated the Mississippi College Choctaws 68-63 in comeback fashion on Thursday night. Trailing by as many as 11 in the second half, clutch shooting propelled the Statesmen to their tenth win of the season. Anderson McCoy sank six straight free throws in the last two minutes to preserve the win over the Choctaws.

THE BASICS:
Score:  Delta State 68 | Mississippi College 63
Records:  Statesmen 10-16 (6-12) GSC | Choctaws 8-16 (4-14) GSC
Series: DSU leads 61-37-1
Location | Time: A.E Wood Coliseum | 7:30 PM
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HOW IT HAPPENED

• Delta State scored the first bucket of the game on a put back dunk from Maalik Cartwright but both teams missed easy shot in the first four minutes.
• The next six minutes was a game of runs. The Statesmen went on a 7-0 run, then MC answered with an 8-0 run. Choctaws led 15-14 with 10:40 to go in the half.
• MC missed their first several three point shots but then made one and took a 22-19 lead with 7:36 to go in the first half.
• Airen Brooks began to heat up late in the first half as he had eight straight points for the Statesmen to cut the lead to 29-27 with 2:30 to go in the first half.
• DSU did not score the last two and half minutes of the first half and the Choctaws extended the lead to 35-28.
• Both teams traded buckets quickly in the second half but then cooled down. The Choctaws extended the lead to 39-30 with 15:45 to go in the game.
• The Statesmen went on another three minute scoring drought but kept the deficit down to single digits as they trail 44-36 with 13 minutes to go.
• Keyshaun Street hit back-to-back three's and tied the game at 51-51 with 6:30 left in the game.
• Michael Motley made a layup and was fouled with 3:41 to go in the game. He missed the free throw and gave DSU the 57-54 lead.
• Mississippi College made two free throws to cut the lead to 57-56 with 3:20 left.
• Then Anderson McCoy came right back down the court hit a three and extended the lead for the Green and White to 60-56.
• Moments later, McCoy stole a pass and then threw a no-look alley-oop to Cartwright to give the Statesmen the 62-56 lead.
• McCoy made six straight free throws to ice the win.

TURNING POINT

• After Delta State trailed by 11, they started to trim the lead and Keyshaun hit two three pointers to tie the game at 51-51 with 6:30 left.  The Statesmen then outscored MC 17-12 the last six minutes.

 
STAT OF THE GAME

• The Statesmen did not have anyone score off the bench tonight. As all 68 points came from the starters.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Keyshaun Street ended the game with 13 points.
• Brooks was one rebound a way from another double-double. He ended the game with 16 points and nine rebounds.

UP NEXT

• Delta State continues on the road as they will take on Auburn University Montgomery on Saturday at 4 PM