MEMPHIS - Mitchell Mays posted a career-high 20 points and 17 rebounds, and Aiden Ruthsatz tied a career-best with 25 points to help lift the Christian Brothers University men's basketball team to an 87-77 victory over Delta State, on Thursday night, at Canale Arena. 

The victory by the Bucs spoiled the homecoming of former head coach Mike Nienaber, who spent 20 seasons at CBU. 
 
TIP OFF:
Score: Christian Brothers 87 | Delta State 77
Records: Bucs (11-12, 7-8 GSC) | Statesmen (8-14, 4-10 GSC)
Series: Delta State leads 59-44
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HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bucs raced out to an 8-0 lead behind a pair of three-pointers from Aiden Ruthsatz and Malik Jones.
• Christian Brothers answered each DSU spurt, and saw Ruthsatz knock down a trio of three pointers in the final four minutes of the half to build a 47-37 lead at the break. 
• CBU went on an 11-4 run out of the locker room to take a 58-41 lead and extended the lead to a game-high 17 points (64-47) with 13:12 left. 
• Delta State chiped away at the lead, using a 15-6 spurt that pulled DSU to 70-62 at the 7:32 mark.
• CBU pushed the lead back to 74-62, on two Brad Miller free throws with 6:55 remaining, but DSU went on another run to make it 78-73 with 3:30 to go.
• A DSU layup made the score 80-76 with 1:35 to play, but that is as close as it got, as Ruthsatz knocked down a three-pointer, and Miller sealed it with two free throws. 

 
TURNING POINT

• The Statesmen managed to cut a 17-point second half deficit down to 80-76 with 95 seconds to play, but Aiden Ruthsatz answered with a three-pointer to put CBU back in control of the game.

KEY STATS | NOTEABLES:

• CBU finished the game 53 percent from the floor (29-of-55) and knocked down 9-of-19 from three point range. 
• DSU was 30-of-60 from the field, but hit just seven of its 21 three point attempts. 
• The Bucs went 20-of-24 from the free throw stripe. 
• CBU committed just eight turnovers. 
• Mitchell Mays posted a career-high 20 points and 17 rebounds. The 17 rebounds are the most by a CBU player since Sidy Sall had 19 against West Georgia in 2015. 
• Malik Jones added a career-high 16 points, while Aiden Ruthsatz tied his career-best with 25 points. Ruthsatz was 5-of-6 from long-range. 
• Jacob Lyons rounded out the CBU double figure scorers with 12 points. 
• The Bucs have won five of their last six games. 

UP NEXT:
The Bucs are scheduled to return to action on Thursday, Feb. 13 when they travel to face West Alabama. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.