Box Score



Dalton State Clips Martin Methodist

By Bob Beavers,
Dalton State Sports Information Director  

 
Pulaski, TN. – The number 13 Dalton State basketball Roadrunners continued to amaze Thursday night as they knocked-off NAIA number five Martin Methodist in the Redhawk's Curry Christian Life Center, 68-67.

Coach Tony Ingle's squad found themselves down by 13 points a couple of times in the first half, but came back to trail by only four points at intermission.

The Roadrunners were down by nine points (40-31) with five seconds to go in the period. Sean Tate hit two free throws, then stole the inbound pass and put up a three. At the half, Dalton trailed by just four – 40-36.

Martin Methodist (17-2, 8-1 SSAC) pulled back out to an 11 point lead early in the second half (50-39), but Dalton tied the score at 58 and went on to take their largest lead of the night (63-58). The Redhawks tied the game at 65 and again at 67. Tate went to the line again with ten seconds remaining. He hit the second of his two foul shots to give the Roadrunners the one point victory.

"I'm glad I'm the coach so I don't have to pay to watch these guys play," said Ingle. "Our team played against tough odds all night long and not once did we lose our composure. That was huge going down to the wire. It was a total team effort. Each guy did his job and trusted his teammates to do theirs."

Preston Earle was injured in the first half, but not badly enough for him to stay out of the game. He finished with nine points and four rebounds with just over 24 minutes of playing time.

Dalton State's Jamaine Burrey, a 6-2 junior from Hardaway High in Columbus, had his break through night. He came off the bench to score a game high 20 points and added six rebounds in just over 23 minutes of playing time.

"Jamaine caught fire, scoring in ways that you can't coach and he ignited his teammates," said Ingle. "He was sensational."

Jordon Bowling had 15 points and four rebounds. Ladaris Green recorded his SSAC leading ninth double-double of the season: ten points and 14 rebounds. He also had four of the Roadrunner's six blocked shots. Tate finished with nine points and a lot of admiration from fans on both sides. As usual, his leadership was outstanding in ways that can't be measured in statistics.

Dalton State out rebounded Martin Methodist 39-37. The Redhawks are one of the NAIA's leading teams for blocked shots, but the Roadrunners also won in that category, 6-3.

Dalton State hit 39 percent from the field (23 of 59), 33.3 percent from beyond the arch (10 of 30) and 70.6 percent from the charity stripe (12 for 17). Martin Methodist was 40.7 percent from the field (24 of 59), 38.1 percent from outside (8 of 21) and 73.3 percent from the foul line (11 of 15).

Josh Watson, Darius Foster, and Monte Burney led the Redhawks. Watson had 15 points and seven rebounds. Forrest had 14 points and nine rebounds.  Burney scored 14 and pulled down five boards. Darius Woods added nine points and four rebounds.

Dalton State (16-2, 7-1 SSAC) has two games next week back in the friendly confines of the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center's Mashburn Arena. The Roadrunners will host Blue Mountain – MS (9-9, 4-5 SSAC) Thursday, January 29^th, at 7:30 p.m. and (RV) Bethel (15-4, 6-2 SSAC) for homecoming on Saturday, January 31^st, at 5:00 p.m.
 
 
Thursday Night NAIA Basketball Results:

(13) Dalton State 68,  (5) Martin Methodist – TN 67
(RV) Bethel – TN 83,  Blue Mountain - MS 60
Mobile 95,  (16) William Carey – MS 83
Auburn Montgomery 68,  Faulkner – MS 64
(17) Georgetown – KY 88,  (1) Campbellsville – KY 76
(24) University of the Cumberlands (KY) 69,  Life (GA) 64