Jackson, Tenn. – The Delta State University men's basketball team (4-3, 0-1 GSC) fell to the Bulldogs from Union University 83-68 in both teams' Gulf South Conference Opener Thursday night in Fred DeLay Gymnasium at Union University.
 
Delta State got a combined 36 points from their top two scorers in Keithean Brooks and Chris Terrell. Both senior guards led the Statesmen with 18 points.
 
Kolby Horace got the Green and White out to a 14-9 lead in the opening eight minutes of the game, scoring six of Delta State's 14 points during the run. Horace would finish the night as the third Statesman in double figures, scoring 14 points.
 
The Statesmen would struggle from the field to finish the half as Union would take a 35-21 lead into the break.
 
Despite trailing by 20 points midway through the second half, Brooks would bring the Statesmen back to within 11 points with 3:51 left in the second half as the Green and White pressure would force 22 Bulldog turnovers.
 
The Bulldogs would answer pulling ahead to a 20-point lead before the Statesmen would bring the game back to a 13-point deficit late in the game as Terrell and Bryce Clayton would knock down back-to-back fastbreak threes in consecutive possessions. Clayton would score his season high nine points off the bench for the Green and White.
 
The Bulldogs would keep their distance as they would hold on to a 15-point win in the conference opener.
 
The Statesmen will be back on the road Saturday afternoon as they will face off against the Buccaneers from Christian Brothers University. Tip-off will be at 3:00 p.m., (CDT) in Canale Arena on the Campus of CBU.