Box Score The Dalton State basketball team held-off a tough Cumberland (Tenn.) squad 77-74 Friday night in the first day of the annual Roadrunner Boosters Basketball Classic at Mashburn Arena at the Dalton Convention Center.
The largest DS lead of the night was seven (24-17) with 8:49 left in the first half, but it didn't last long. CU scored the next eight points to take a 25-24 advantage at the 6:33 mark and kept on scoring to go ahead 29-24. The Roadrunner had a run of their own to go ahead at the half, 38-35.
The visitors went ahead 52-48 in the second half and the game went back and forth until
Marcel Hawkins hit a shot in the paint and a free throw to break a tie at 63.
"It was a hard fought game," said Dalton State Coach Tony Ingle. "People who came to the game got good entertainment." Paid attendance was 1,138.
Hawkins was a dominating force inside with a double-double - 27 points and 17 rebounds. He also had one assist, two steals, one blocked shot, and hit five of six free throws.
"He was an inspiration," said Ingle. "Marcel played his heart tonight. He kept scoring in the paint, he hit his foul shots (5-6 from the line), he got rebounds, he gave us leadership and confidence to some of the other players."
Rudy Winters made his Roadrunner debut count with 16 points, four rebounds and two steals. "We were glad to see Rudy out there," said Ingle. "Wasn't he fun, very athletic, boy that dunk that brought the whole house down."
Jordan Bowling and
Corey McDonald each added 11 points. Bowling also had eight rebounds. McDonald had two assists, two steals and one blocked shot.
Reed Dungan also was ruled eligible just before the game. "Reed was two hours before the game and then Rudy was right at an hour before the game."
The Roadrunners out rebounded the Bulldogs 41-39, but Cumberland had an advantage in three point field goals (9-17, 52.9% to 8-28, 28.6%) steals (10-9), and field goals (26-59 or 44.1% for CU and 30-76 or 39.5% for DS.
Cumberland also had four players in double figures.
Delaryn Dodd had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Mark Brown scored 15, Marquel Hickerson scored a dozen and Will Shelton added 11 points.
Wilberforce University (Ohio) surprised the University of the Cumberlands in Friday's early game, 67-47. D'Lando Carter led Cumberlands with 18 points while Tre Boutilier had 11 points and nine boards. Wilberforce was led by Davontae Berry with 17 points, Michael Forrest with 15, and Patrick Mitchell's 14.
Saturday action at Mashburn arena will have Wilberforce (7-6) playing Cumberland University (7-8) at 2:00 p.m. Dalton State (8-2) will then battle the University of the Cumberlands (9-4) at 4:00 p.m.
"They (University of the Cumberlands) are a good basketball team," said Ingle. "They are not used to getting beat. They are well coached and beat us here last year at the buzzer. It's going to take a good effort."
The Patriots had knocked off No. 1 Pikeville earlier this month, 78-72. "I thought these two teams would be among the best teams we will play all year," the coach added.
NAIA Basketball Scoreboard: Dalton State 78, Cumberland (Tenn.) 74
Wilberforce (Ohio) 67, University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) 47
LSU Alexandria 77, Loyola (La.) 74
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 71, Northwestern Ohio 64
Campbellsville (Ky.) 80, Asbury (Ky.) 60
Bryan (Tenn.) 97, Hiwassee (Tenn.) 81
Photo Gallery:
