Delta State University’s men’s basketball team fell short in a 77-73 loss to the University of West Florida on Saturday at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The Statesmen led for more than 22 minutes and were up by as many as seven points but couldn’t hold off the Argonauts late.
Delta State (9-15, 6-13 Gulf South Conference) had four players score in double figures. DaCory Porter led with 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting and went 9-for-10 from the free throw line. Je’Marion Westbrook added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Brendan Braddix scored 12, including a late dunk that energized the team. Elisha Puckett contributed 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
The Statesmen started strong, shooting 48% from the field and 54.5% from three-point range in the first half. They took a 37-32 lead into halftime, thanks in part to Puckett’s two three-pointers off the bench. West Florida (20-6, 13-5 GSC) responded in the second half, led by Elijah Wyche, who finished with 28 points and was perfect from the free-throw line.
West Florida used inside scoring and second-chance opportunities to chip away at Delta State’s lead, tying the game multiple times in the closing minutes. The Statesmen regained a 71-69 lead after Braddix’s putback with 1:39 remaining, but the Argonauts answered with a tying basket and took the lead at the free throw line. They hit key free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.
Delta State shot 46.4% from the field and 92.9% at the free throw line while forcing 10 turnovers. The team also outscored West Florida’s reserves 13-5. The Statesmen will look to rebound Thursday night on the road against Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, with a tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT).
