LIVINGSTON, Ala. -- Maalik Cartwright tallied a game-high 21 points, but the University of West Alabama out-rebounded the Delta State University men's basketball team 20-7 on the offensive glass en route to a 71-58 win to earn a spot in the Gulf South Conference Semifinals.

THE TIP-OFF

Score: West Alabama 71 | Delta State 58
Records: DSU 10-17 (9-11 GSC) | UWA 24-5 (16-4 GSC)
Series: DSU leads 44-32
Venue | City: Pruitt Hall | Livingston, Ala.
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STATS OF THE GAME

• The Statesmen jumped out to a lead, 12-6, behind eight early points from Maalik Cartwright. 
• West Alabama responded with a 10-0 run to take a four-point lead at the 10:13 mark of the first half. 
• A Demond Franklin tip-in and a Kelen Dietrich layup gave the Statesmen a 21-20 lead, but Te Smith answered with a three-pointer to stake West Alabama to a 23-21 lead that they never relinquished.
• Down nine at the break, Delta State got within six, at 47-41, on a Kelen Dietrich jumper and one.
• The Tigers responded with a layup and free throw from Robert Davis and two free throws after a DSU technical foul to bloat the lead to 11 and effectively seal the game. 
• DSU wnet just 4-for-15 from three-point territory, while the Tigers were 5-for-24 from three.
• West Alabama out-rebounded Delta State 45-28 and 20-7 on the offensive glass.
• Cartwright finished with 21 points, three rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.