MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Though the Delta State University men's basketball team trailed in the final stages of regulation, they refused to go down without a fight. The Statesmen capped off a spirited last-minute comeback with an overtime win that ruined a Christian Brothers homecoming, their third in a row.
 
THE TIP-OFF:

Score: DSU 87 | CBU 55
Records: DSU 10-12 (9-7 GSC) | CBU 8-15 (5-12 GSC)
Series: Delta State leads the series 62-43
Venue | City: Canale Arena | Memphis, Tenn.
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STATS OF THE GAME:

• Maalik Cartwright got the Statesmen going on offense in the early going, scoring the first five points to grab an early 5-4 lead in the first two minutes.
• Lee Cotton knocked down a pair of threes while Kelen Dietrich added one himself to place DSU ahead 14-6 at the 12:48 mark in the opening half.
• Christian Brothers battled back by sparking a 17-5 run which gave them a 23-19 edge with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.
• Though the Bucs continued making shots, Delta State responded with a few of their own, ending the opening stanza down 30-25.
• CBU continued to pile it on straight out of halftime and built their lead up to nine just over two minute into the second half.
• The two teams got their offenses going and started trading baskets as Christian Brothers held DSU at arms length maintaining a 40-33 edge at the 15:40 mark.
• Down 48-42 with 12:06 to go, Delta State drew level with CBU on the strength of an 8-2 run to bring the score to 50-50.
• Though the Bucs fought back through an 8-0 run themselves, the Statesmen continued to keep the game close, only trailing by as much as six points up until the four-minute media timeout.
• As time wound down, Cotton converted a tough and-one to bring the Statesmen within one point, 62-61, as 2:16 remained in regulation.
• On the very next possession, Christian Brothers drew a foul on a three-point shot, and guard Aiden Ruthsatz drained all three free throws to restore their four-point lead.
• Delta State missed a tough shot with 30 seconds on the clock and immediately fouled, and the Statesmen faced a tough predicament down four, but they forced CBU into a five-second violation on the ensuing inbound and regained possession.
• Airen Brooks immediately found space at the top of the key and knocked down a three to reignite the team, and the Statesmen trailed 68-67 with 26 seconds left.
• Christian Brothers heaved an inbounds pass past half court, but Cotton and Z'Mari Minter tracked it down and combined to steal the ball, providing DSU one last possession in regulation with 18 seconds to play.
• Though Brooks missed a runner from 8 feet, Cartwright crashed the boards and dunked the rebound home to place the Statesmen ahead 69-68 with seven seconds remaining in regulation.
• With less than one second left to play, it looked like Minter supplied the game-saving block, but the referees called a foul and sent Ruthsatz to the free throw line to seal a Bucs win.
• However, after Ruthsatz drained the first attempt, he left the second short, and Brooks secured a rebound which sent the game to overtime.
• Both teams made their first shots in the extra period, but Ruthsatz connected on a jumper with 3:19 left, and the Bucs restored their lead 73-71.
• Brooks answered back with a three-pointer, supplying the Statesmen a 74-73 edge at the 2:50 mark in overtime.
• Cotton followed up with a jumpshot from inside the paint, allowing the Statesmen breathing room at 76-73.
• Delta State forged ahead on a 5-0 run to go up 81-75 with 1:06 to go.
• Minter and Brooks combined to go 6-for-6 from the charity stripe to put the Bucs away, ensuring the Statesmen left Memphis victoriously.

UP NEXT:

Delta State comes home to Cleveland to face Auburn University at Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 17 at Walter Sillers Coliseum for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.