CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University men's basketball team (6-8, 3-6 GSC) delivered a strong second-half performance Thursday night, outscoring Trevecca Nazarene University (9-5, 4-4 GSC) 51–32 after the break to secure a
92–78 victory at Walter Sillers Coliseum.
The Statesmen trailed by five at halftime but flipped the momentum early in the second half, shooting nearly 60 percent from the field over the final 20 minutes while tightening up defensively. Delta State took its first lead of the half just minutes in and never looked back, building the advantage to as many as 14 late.
DaCory Porter led the way with a career-high
24 points, knocking down 11-of-11 from the free throw line while adding six rebounds and three assists.
Bryce Clayton also turned in a career night, finishing with
20 points and five steals as the Statesmen capitalized on Trevecca turnovers throughout the second half.
Delta State's interior presence was key, as the Statesmen scored
42 points in the paint and added
24 second-chance points, consistently extending possessions.
Jackson Twombly provided a spark off the bench with 15 points, while
Phillip Hughes and
Samuel Whitmer combined for timely defensive stops and rebounding down the stretch.
After Trevecca opened the game with an early run and carried a 46–41 lead into the locker room, Delta State answered with an 11–2 spurt to open the second half. A fast-break layup by Clayton followed by a Porter three-point play pushed the Statesmen in front and energized the home crowd.
Trevecca was paced by Fred Bailey with 18 points, but the Trojans were held to just 33 percent shooting in the second half as Delta State's defensive pressure increased.
The Statesmen finished the night shooting
47.7 percent from the field and
87 percent at the free throw line, while forcing 17 Trevecca turnovers.
Delta State improves to
6–8 overall and 3–6 in Gulf South Conference play and will look to carry the momentum forward as conference action continues Saturday afternoon against the Flames from Lee University who lost to Mississippi College tonight 97-87.
