Roadrunner Defense Enables 79-58 Win
The Dalton State basketball Roadrunners (12-1) used a tough defense to run past Southern Wesleyan University (8-5) Tuesday night at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center..
The hosts led the Warriors by 16 at the half, 41-25. SWU pulled to within one point a couple of times, but never led or tied the game in the second half.
Dalton State Coach Tony Ingle credited Anthony Hilliard with holding the nation's leading scorer in NAIA Division I, Cam Soloman, to just nine points.
"Anthony really did a phenomenal defensive job tonight," said Ingle. "And the team was there to help."
"Cam Soloman, a transfer from Georgia State, is averaging 24 points a game. He had nine points at the half and was really on his way to probably another 20 point game or so. He didn't score in the second half."
"We contained him in the first half, but Anthony with team assistance STOPPED him in the second half," added Ingle.
Roadrunner leading scorer Ricky Sears was also held to nine points, but the team got scoring from Demetrice Jacobs with a game high 22 points, Preston Earle scored 15, Sean Tate 11, and Hilliard 6.
Jacobs credited his team with enabling his scoring performances during the past couple of games.
"I owe it to my team. We are trying to keep the winning streak alive," Jacobs said.
"We've picked it up in practice and our work in practice has paid off," he added. "Every practice is going to get better and hopefully we will keep winning."
Jacobs and Raheem Moseley led DS in rebounds with seven each.
Newly instated Erick Allen was in the game, but was limited to five points and two rebounds in his shorter than planned time on the hardwood.
"It's good to see Erick out there," said Ingle. "He played six minutes and fouled out. When you play six minutes and have five fouls, it's not the referee's fault."
"We have to coach Erick to bring him up to speed on where we are. He has been practicing with the team, but not playing in game situations."
Dwayne Bryant led SWU with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Terrance Hutchins added 12.
Rebounding in the game was close… 39 for the Warriors and 38 for the Roadrunners.
Northwest Georgia college basketball fans will again have an opportunity to see bonus activity this weekend at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center. There will be two games for the price of one again Friday and Saturday.
Cumberland University (9-0) of Lebanon, TN, ranked #21 in the NAIA D-1 National Poll, returns to Dalton to play Belhaven University (4-4) on Friday and Concordia of Alabama on Saturday. The early games will tip-off at 6:00 p.m.
The Roadrunners will play the late games each night, roughly at 8:00 p.m. DS will host Concordia Friday night and Belhaven Saturday evening.
The games will be broadcast live on Mix 104.5 FM. You will be able to connect to the game on this website.
Other Tuesday NAIA games of interest included:
Xavier (New Orleans) 71 Spring Hill 66
Coastal Georgia 82 Thomas (GA) 74
Pikeville (KY) 115 University of Cincinnati Clemont 55
Faulkner (AL) 74 Carver Bible College 71
