NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Trevecca Nazarene University overcame a slow start to defeat Delta State University 83-66 on Saturday at Trojan Fieldhouse. The Trojans shot 56% from the floor and scored 60 points in the paint, pulling away early in the second half.
Elisha Puckett led Delta State with 16 points and seven rebounds, shooting 7-of-14 from the field. Brendan Braddix added 14 points and five rebounds off the bench, while freshman guard Jackson Twombly scored 13 points in less than nine minutes, including two three-pointers.
The game was close for much of the first half. Delta State took a 15-13 lead on a three by Bryce Clayton with 11:12 remaining. Trevecca responded with a 26-10 run before halftime, fueled by Da’Shon Fisher’s scoring and Fred Bailey’s rebounding. The Trojans led 39-31 at the break.
Trevecca dominated the second half, outscoring Delta State 44-35. Fisher scored a game-high 24 points on 12-of-14 shooting, repeatedly attacking the rim. Justin Bass added 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, and Bailey posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Trojans led by as many as 27 points in the second half. Delta State struggled to keep pace, surrendering 37 fast-break points and 16 points off turnovers. The Statesmen finished 38% overall and 28% from three-point range, despite bench contributions that accounted for 36 of their 66 points.
The loss drops Delta State to 10-16 overall and 7-14 in Gulf South Conference play. The team returns home next week for a must-win game against Mississippi College at Walter Sillers Coliseum, with the postseason on the line.
