CLEVELAND, Miss. -- The Delta State University men's basketball team used an 8-2 run late in the game to give themselves a look at a win, but a three-point attempt by Airen Brooks circled the basket and fell out as the University of Alabama in Huntsville edged DSU 69-68 at Walter Sillers Coliseum.
Jaylen Lemons tallied a season-high 26 points and hit a season-best eight three-pointers in the loss.
THE BASICS:
Score: Alabama Huntsville 69 | Delta State 68
Records: Statesmen 0-4 (0-4 GSC) | Chargers 6-1 (6-0 GSC)
Series: 21-21
Location | Time: Walter Sillers Coliseum | 2:30 pm
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- Michael Motley's layup in the opening seconds of the game got the Statesmen out to a quick start, as DSU took a 17-14 lead to the under 12 media timeout in the first half.
- Jaylen Lemons hit a trio of first half three-pointers, and DSU took a 29-22 lead with 5:09 to go in the first half.
- UAH responded with an 11-5 run over the remainder of the half as DSU held a slim 34-33 advantage at the break.
- Trailing 37-34 with 17:47 to play, Lemons drained three three-point field goals, Lee Cotton added another, and Maalik hit a layup as DSU built a 48-40 lead with 12:39 left in the contest.
- Lemons' fifth three-pointer of the second half made it 51-42 DSU with 12:23 to go, but UAH responded with a quick 10-0 to take a 52-51 lead.
- Another Lemons triple with 9:34 to play, edged the Statesmen in front 54-53, as the two teams continued to go back and forth.
- With the score tied 60-60, UAH rattled off seven straight to make it 67-60 with 1:19 left on the game clock.
- Kayshaun Street and Savvas Georgiadis each added late three-pointers, after Huntsville went a combined 2-for-4 from the free throw line in the games final minute, and Z'Mari Minter added a layup to pull DSU within one, 69-68, with 6 seconds to play.
- The Delta State defense then forced a UAH turnover on the inbounds play to get the ball back with six seconds to go, but Airen Brooks right wing three-point attempt fell out long as UAH secured the win.
TURNING POINT
- Delta State used an 8-2 run in the game's final 1:19 before their game-winning shot attempt missed the mark.
STAT OF THE GAME
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE
- Jaylen Lemons hit season-highs in points (26), made three-pointers (8), made field goals (9), field goal attempts (16), and rebounds (4).
- Maalik Cartwright added three blocked shots, a season-high.
UP NEXT
The Statesmen head north to face off in a series against Christian Brothers University in Memphis on Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23.
