Box Score CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State held off a late surge by the Christian Brothers men's basketball team, to earn a hard fought 82-78 victory, on Saturday, at Walter Sillers Coliseum. 

DSU led by as many as 11 points in the first half, and nine in the second. The Statesmen claimed three of the four meetings this season. 

TIP OFF:
Score: DSU 82 | CBU 78
Records: Statesmen (2-5, 2-5 GSC) | Bucs (2-5, 2-5 GSC) 
Series: Delta State leads 63-45
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HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Statesmen jumped out to an early lead, and held a 25-14 advantage 12 minutes into the contest.
• Jesse Payne IV knocked down a three pointer at the horn to cut the DSU lead to 39-38, at the half. 
• Three minutes into the second half, Delta State started a 10-2 run to extend its lead to 56-47. 
• With 7:08 left, Payne knocked down another three ball to help the Bucs tie the contest at 66. 
• After DSU grew its lead back to eight points, a Nick Deifel free throw made it 79-76, with 56 seconds left. 
• The Statesmen knocked down three of their next four free throws to earn the win.  

KEY STATS | NOTEABLES:

• CBU finished the contest 50 percent from the field (30-of-60), including 7-of-18 from three point range. 
• After shooting 4-of-6 from the outside in the first half, the Bucs went just 3-for-12 in the final 20 minutes. 
• The Statesmen finished 53 percent from the floor (24-45). 
• DSU had a huge advantage at the charity stripe, hitting 27-of-33. The Statesmen entered the game as the worst free throw shooting team in the Gulf South Conference (49 percent).
• CBU knocked down 11 of its 18 free throws. 
• The Bucs won the rebounding battle 32-27. 
• CBU has outrebounded its opponent in every game this season. 
• Payne IV led the Bucs with a career-high 19 points and a team-high six assists. 
• Deifel added 17 points, and Jordan Graham had a CBU career-high 13 points. 
• Christian Jones rounded out the double figure scorers with 10 points. Jones also added a team-high seven rebounds. 

UP NEXT:

• The Bucs are scheduled to return to action on Friday, Feb. 12, when they host Alabama Huntsville. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Attendance will be limited to CBU player parents, and a select number of students.