Dalton State College Athletics

The Birds Are Flying High Again


Dalton, Ga. – The visiting Virginia Intermont Cobras (7-10) scored the first basket of the game, but it would be their only lead of the night.

Dalton State (18-2) quickly gained the lead and never again relinquished it on their way to the 87-72 Monday night victory.

The crowd of 1,237 at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center had plenty to cheer for as the Roadrunners took a nine-point (43-34) lead into intermission. Dalton's largest lead of the night was at 17 with only 44 seconds left. They held on for the 15-point win.

The Roadrunners out rebounded the Cobras 42-28. They also shot 78.6% (22-28) from the foul line to Virginia Intermont's 69.6% (16-23).

Dalton had 24 points in the paint and 24 points off turnovers. Virginia Intermont had 16 points in the paint and 13 points off turnovers.

The winners only made five of their 25 three-point attempts and 6'10" center LaDaris Green made three of those. Playing in his first home game for the Roadrunners, Green finished with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and added a couple of blocked shots.

"My teammates are playing good," said Green. "I hope to just add on to what they need. Whatever they need, I am here to do."



Dalton senior guard Ricky Sears scored 15 points in the first half, but was held scoreless after the break. He was perfect in his six attempts from the free-throw line.




Erich Allen and Demetrice Jacobs scored 12 each. Allen added five boards and Jacobs, four. Sean Tate was 7-8 from the foul line in route to a 10-point performance. He also had four assists. Anthony Hilliard added six points and seven assists.



The Roadrunners have had a successful run. Now, three new players have been added to the mix. Monday night was the second game for Green, the third for Tyrel Edwards, and Allen's fifth game. The trio combines to add to the inside game.

"When you add three players who will be in the top eight rotation things change and the players understand that we are trying to work together for the team," said Dalton coach Tony Ingle.

"The chemistry has worked," added Ingle. "Hats off to Preston (Earle), DJ (Demetrice Jacobs), everybody understands that we're trying to work together for the team and that's tough in a society where there is a lot of selfishness and instant gratification. One of the things that we try to teach on our team is that when selfishness ends, happiness begins."

"We have a lot of things to work on, but we wanted to make sure that we had these new guys. We are going into a stretch that seven of our last 10 games will be on the road."





Virginia Intermont's Joshua Hart scored 23 points. He made six of nine free throws. Tyrone Smith had 16 points and six assists. JD Tucker scored 14 and Ben Sealey 13.

Dalton State travels to Columbia, SC Saturday to play Allen University at 3:00 p.m. The next Roadrunner home game is scheduled for January 29 against high scoring Life University of Marietta.