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Dalton, Ga. – The NAIA No. 1 ranked Dalton State Basketball Roadrunners (3-2 overall, 1-0 SSAC) got off to a good conference start Thursday night with a 63-50 victory over Blue Mountain (Miss) before an official crowd of 1,513 at the Dalton Convention Center's Mashburn Arena.

The first half was close with the Roadrunners managing a 34-33 lead. Thanks to a 13 point run, Dalton State built a 47-34 lead. The Toppers managed to cut the lead before the hosts won going away.

"I was really proud of our players," said Coach Tony Ingle. "They did a little repenting at halftime. They came out ready to play the second half."  Ingle was proud of the second half turnaround. "They just had too many easy baskets. Our rotations weren't very good. We gambled a lot in the first half, but the second half was phenomenal. What they did defensively as a team was phenomenal in the second half. We held them to 17% and we met every one of our goals for the game. At half time we were behind in about every one of them. They really responded and that's really the sign of a good basketball team… they took it, they processed it and they went to work."

Senior Jordan Bowling finished the night with a double-double. He had a game high 23 points, a game high 15 rebounds, and two blocked shots. "He did it on purpose," Ingle said matter of factly. "A phenomenal night. Jordan's a better person than he is a player. I wish everybody in American knew how great this guy is. He's so humble. The players are so proud of him and the great night that he had. It was a great win for us."

Sophomore Deshawn Ruffin scored 12 points, playing with four personal fouls. Jamaine Burrey had 8 points and four assists. Marcel Hawkins had 8 points, also with four personal fouls. Zach Dean scored 7 and Corey McDonald 5.

Rebounds were close with Dalton State holding a 35-32 edge. Dalton State hit just (9-18) 50% from the free throw line. The Toppers were (13-19) 68.4%. The Roadrunners had entered the game as the No. 13 team in NAIA in Free Throw Percentage at 73.5%.

Blue Mountain (1-5) leading scorer Conner Helvig was held scoreless in the game. He is averaging 12.40 points per contest.
Dalton State will host always tough William Carey (Miss) on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. One of the teams that has defeated the Roadrunners will come to town on Tuesday. Campbellsville (KY) will play at 7:00 p.m.

William Carey lost to Middle Georgia Thursday night, 77-73. The Crusaders fell to 2-2 on the season, 0-1 SSAC.

 NAIA Basketball Scoreboard:

(1) Dalton State 63,  Blue Mountain (Miss) 50
Middle Georgia State 77,  William Carey 73
Southern University of New Orleans 90,  Auburn-Montgomery 77
Loyola of New Orleans 84,  Spring Hill College 66
Nicholls State 80,  Mobile 58
(2) Pikeville (KY) 104,  Life (GA) 96
Lindsey Wilson (KY) 73,  Cumberland (TN) 69 
(18) Campbellsville (KY) 71,  Shawnee State (OH) 62
Reinhardt (GA) 87,  Point (GA) 77
(8) Georgetown (KY) 106,  St. Catharine (KY) 77

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