Box Score MEMPHIS—Delta State forward Mark Liyanage made four three-pointers during a 22-7 second half run that lifted the visiting Statesmen past the Christian Brothers University Bucs 62-54, eliminating the Bucs from next week's Gulf South Conference Tournament.

As they have in their last four losses, the Bucs (17-10, 5-8 GSC West) started strong as they never trailed in the first half, building their lead to 29-21 on a Michael Drake (Little Rock, Ark./Catholic HS) three in the final minute of the first half.

Harry Green (Memphis, Tenn./White Station HS) scored three straight points on a free throw and a layup to lift the Bucs to a 33-28 lead with 15:50 remaining, but Liyanage would take over shortly afterwards.  Arian Maliqi made a three-pointer on the next possession, and back-to-back Liyanage threes put the Statesmen in front for good.  By the time the run ended with a Jay Murphy three-point play, the Statesmen led 50-40 with 4:48 to play.  The Bucs cut the lead to six points twice in the final minutes, but they could never come closer.

Green scored a game-high 20 points, matching his career high, as well as three steals, and Cory McArthy (St. Louis, Mo./Christian Brothers College HS) knocked down four three-pointers on his way to 12 points.

Liyanage finished with 15 points on 5-of-7 three-point shooting, matching Phil Turner for team-high scoring honors.  Turner added game-highs of eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals.  Jamarkus Holt scored 11 points off the bench.

With the loss and Arkansas-Monticello's 63-58 win over Southern Arkansas, the Bucs are eliminated from the GSC Tournament.  With a win Saturday and a UAM loss, the Bucs could tie UAM for the final spot, but UAM holds the tiebreaker advantage due to their sweep of sixth-place Ouachita Baptist, with whom the Bucs split.

The Bucs close out the 2010-11 season Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. as they visit Southern Arkansas.