Box Score All five Dalton State starters reached double figures in scoring as the No. 1 ranked Roadrunners (7-2 overall, 2-0 SSAC) extended their winning streak to seven with an 85-70 Monday night victory over Hiwassee College at Dalton Convention Center's Mashburn Arena.
A crowd of 1,111 saw the Tigers jump out to a 7-2 lead, but the Roadrunners regrouped to tie the score at 13 on a
Jamaine Burrey shot in the paint. Burrey then gave Dalton State the lead on a free throw.
Hiwassee had their final lead (21-20) with 11:37 remaining in the half. Two
Deshawn Ruffin free throws gave the Roadrunners the lead for good at 22-21.
Dalton State went ahead 30-21 on a streak that included two of
Jordan Bowling's five first half three point shots and two more free throws by Ruffin. After Hiwassee scored on a single free throw, Ruffins scored four straight points to put the Roadrunners up 34-22. Dalton State led at the half, 39-30, on the strength of 20 points by Bowling.
Hiwassee hit a couple of free throws to start the second half before the Roadrunners rallied with two buckets in the paint by
Marcel Hawkins and a
Corey McDonald three pointer to go up 46-34.
"We didn't change a lot in the second half," said Coach Tony Ingle. "We stayed with the game plan but had a little bit more intensity, more enthusiasm and came up with some better defensive plays, steals and stops and we were able to capitalize. They typically have ten steals but we had 14 steals tonight and they had seven. I thought that was the difference."
The largest DS lead of the night (85-66) came on a
Nathan Terry three pointer with just nine seconds in the game.
Jordan Bowling finished with 24 points and added six rebounds, one blocked shot and a couple of steals. He had been a hot 5/5 from beyond the arc in the first half. Bowling had gone seven straight games with double-doubles. "He DID get the 'W' and that's what he wants," said Ingle. "He got to scoring early. He had a hot hand and thank goodness he did."
Burrey scored 16 points and had seven rebounds and five steals for DS. "Jamaine really stepped up," said Ingle. "He came up with some big plays and some big baskets. Anytime you get five players in double figures it says a lot for the balance of the team."
Hawkins scored 14 points with five boards. Ruffin and McDonald each scored 11. Ruffin also had five assists and three steals. Jasnos Pawel scored six and added six rebounds. Terry finished with three points.
The visiting Tigers won the rebounding battle, 43-42. They also hit 80% (16-20) from the foul line. All but one of those points came in the second half. The Roadrunners hit 14-19 from the charity stripe (73.7%).
Coach Ingle had praise for Hiwassee. "We had a battle. We had to work hard all night to get that win," said Ingle. "They're getting bigger, they're getting better. Their coach is doing a good job. Their position players are doing a better job."
Dalton State will next host the Roadrunner Booster Club Classic. They will play Cumberland University (TN) on Dec. 18
th at 8:00 p.m. and the University of the Cumberlands (KY) at 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 19
th.
NAIA Scoreboard:(1) Dalton State 85, Hiwassee College (TN) 70
Florida National 80, Ave Maria (FL) 59
(14) William Carey (MS) 99, Selma University AL) 63
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