CLINTON, Miss. — The Delta State University men's basketball came up just short on the road Saturday afternoon, falling 69–65 to Mississippi College in Gulf South Conference action at A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The Statesmen dug themselves an early hole as the Choctaws shot 40 percent in the opening half and built a 39–23 advantage at the break. Delta State struggled to find consistency offensively in the first 20 minutes but never lost composure, setting the stage for a second-half rally.

Delta State responded with one of its best halves of the season after intermission, outscoring Mississippi College 42–30. The Statesmen chipped away at the deficit behind strong interior play and timely perimeter shooting, eventually tying the game at 56–56 with just over five minutes remaining. The contest featured seven lead changes and seven ties, with Delta State briefly taking a 63–61 edge late.

Mississippi College answered down the stretch with key second-chance points and clutch free throws to secure the four-point win.

DaCory Porter led Delta State with a team-high 14 points all coming in the second half while adding six rebounds and two assists. Je'Marion Westbrook finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, and Samuel Whitmer chipped in 11 points. Bryce Clayton and Phillip Hughes each added nine points as the Statesmen placed five players in double figures.

Delta State held a slight rebounding edge, 46–45, and scored 24 points in the paint, but shooting percentages proved to be the difference. The Statesmen finished 35.4 percent from the floor and 23.7 percent from three-point range, while Mississippi College converted 17-of-26 attempts at the free-throw line.

With the loss, Delta State moves to 7–9 overall and 4–7 in Gulf South Conference play. The Statesmen will look to build on their second-half momentum as conference action continues next week as DSU hits the road to take on the Bucs from Christian Brothers University Thursday evening in Memphis.