Our Roadrunners Lead The Nation
At the Christmas break, the Dalton State Roadrunners (14-1) have compiled more wins than any other NAIA Division I men's basketball team in the nation. Talladega, AL is right behind at 13-1.
"A winner is known for what he gives and a champion is known for what he gives up," said Roadrunner Coach
Tony Ingle.
"Each one of our players has bought into what we teach and has made personal sacrifices for the betterment of our basketball family. That's exactly why the Roadrunners of Dalton, GA and Dalton State currently have more wins than ANY team in NAIA basketball."
The only two unbeaten teams at this point are John Brown University from Siloam Springs, AK (11-0) and Freed Hardeman of Henderson, TN (7-0). "We are only a win at the buzzer away from joining only two undefeated teams," Ingle added.
"A coach could never be more proud of a team that has over come so many challenges on a daily basis," Ingle said. "There is no way we could be where we are in a new program if it were not for Dr. John Schwenn, Derek Waugh, our booster club, the faithful support of John Redman, and all in the athletic department."
Our Roadrunners are in the very first year of four year competition. As a result, they are not eligible for post season competition. They are also not eligible to be voted into the NAIA D-I poll. Several opposing coaches have noted that they would most likely be a Top 10 team.
Dalton State earned the honor with an 84-73 victory over Belhaven University (4-6) Saturday night in the Carpet City Christmas Classic at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center.
The Roadrunners ran out to a 23 point first half lead. The half-time lead was by 21 (53-32). Dalton State continued to build the lead. They went up by 29 points at 64-35 before the Blazers began chipping away. Belhaven outscored Dalton State by 18 in the final eight minutes.
"I am proud of our team's hustle and unselfish play," said Ingle. "It's an amazing accomplishment. We had a two point lead at their place with 33 seconds left to play and we knew they would be competitive."
Ricky Sears led the Roadrunners with 17 points and six assists; Demetrice Jacobs was close behind with 16 points, six assists, and nine rebounds; and
Sean Tate had 14 points and six assists.
Anthony Hilliard scored nine,
Preston Earle eight, Raheem Mosley seven points and seven rebounds, and
Erich Allen scored seven. Belhaven's Jordan Bedford had a game high 20 points.
Rebounding was close. The Roadrunners pulled down 43 and the Blazers 41. Dalton State earned 19 points off of turnovers to Belhaven's two in the first half, but the tables turned in the second half. DS was limited to four points off turnovers while BU had 15.
In the early game Saturday, the Concordia Hornets (11-10) knocked Cumberland University (10-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten, 68-55. The Selma, AL school took a 30-15 record into halftime.
Tavin Cummings led the Hornet with 20 points and seven rebounds. Alex Flagler led the NAIA Division I #23 ranked Bulldogs with 13 points and seven rebounds.
Next action for Dalton State will be on Monday, December 30, when the birds play an exhibition game against Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN.
The next DS home game will be against Reinhardt on Thursday, January 2 at 4:00 p.m. NAIA Division 1 #17 ranked Faulkner, AL will visit on Saturday, January 4, also at 4:00 p.m.
