No. 18 West Alabama holds off Delta State 86-81 in men’s basketball

Livingston, Ala. — Delta State University’s men’s basketball team shot 53.8% from the field and 43.8% from three-point range but lost to No. 18 West Alabama 86-81 on Saturday at Pruitt Hall.

The Statesmen were led by redshirt junior guard DaCory Porter, who scored a career-high 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting and 9-of-10 free throws. He also contributed four rebounds and four assists. Five players scored at least seven points for Delta State, including Samuel Whitmer, who went perfect from the field with five shots and finished with 12 points.

Despite efficient shooting, Delta State struggled on the glass. West Alabama controlled the rebounding battle 37-16 and scored 22 points off 15 offensive rebounds. The Tigers also outscored the Statesmen 48-24 in the paint, leveraging their size and depth to maintain control throughout the game.

Jakobe Singleton led West Alabama with 20 points off the bench on 8-of-9 shooting. Rasean Frederick added 17 points, and Christian Thompson posted a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. The Tigers built a 45-31 halftime advantage and withstood multiple Delta State runs in the second half, despite the Statesmen scoring 50 points after the break.

Delta State trimmed the deficit to two possessions several times behind Porter’s scoring and contributions from other players, but West Alabama responded each time to stay ahead. The loss drops Delta State to 8-13 overall and 5-11 in Gulf South Conference play. The team will travel to Jackson, Tennessee, next Tuesday to face Union University.

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