Cochran, Ga. – The Middle Georgia State Knights (8-4 overall, 6-3 SSAC) snapped a two game losing streak Saturday afternoon at Morris Gymnasium by taking No. 23 Dalton State, 83-80.

In a hard-fought game that came down to a long, tightly covered Jamaine Burrey shot at the buzzer that hit the rim and bounced wide, the Roadrunners (12-7 overall, 4-5 SSAC) fell for the fourth straight time and their fifth defeat in the last six games.

Middle Georgia was hot early from beyond the arch and jumped out to a 31-23 lead. Dalton State came back to take the advantage at 41-35. The Roadrunners led 46-41 when Deshawn Ruffin and Coach Tony Ingle were each called for technical fouls with 2:42 in the half. Pat Edmonds made 3 of 4 foul shots to pull the hosts to within two point at 46-44.

A Corey McDonald three with one minute left in the half put the Roadrunners up 49-47. David Bivens of Middle Georgia tied the game with 40 seconds in the half and the score at intermission was 49-49.

The Roadrunners scored the first basket of the second half, but the Knights countered with a three to go up 52-51. The game remained close throughout with the largest Middle Georgia lead at five – 65-60 and 67-62. Dalton State would take back the lead at 78-77 and again at 80-79.  The hosts then went up 81-80 when Ryan Wilkins hit a shot in the paint.

The Roadrunners had a couple of shots at the other end, but couldn't score. The hosts had the ball with 14 seconds remaining forcing the Roadrunners to foul Edmonds who made both shots to put the Knights up by three. After a DS timeout, it came down to that final Burrey attempt at a buzzer-beater.

The contest was determined by free throws. The Roadrunners were hot but had limited opportunities. They shot 90.91% in hitting 10 of their 11 foul shots. The hosts hit 72% but that was 18 of 25 fouls.

Dalton State hit 31 of 70 shots from the field (44.3%) to Middle Georgia State's 29 of 62 (46.8%). The Knights out rebounded the Roadrunners, 38-36, and had five blocked shots to four for DS.

Jalen Robinson led a balanced Dalton State effort with a team high18 points and six rebounds. Jordan Bowling scored 14 points (all but two in the first half), Jamaine Burrey and Marcel Hawkins each scored 12 with five rebounds. Ruffin added 11 points and six assists. Rudy Winters scored 8 points.

Kieston Standfield of Middle Georgia had a double-double with a game high 21 points and 11 rebounds. Corey Reid had 17 points and 8 rebounds. Edmonds scored 12 and David Bivins added 11 points and 7 assists.

"No one in the conference has beaten Middle Georgia at home this year, but we missed it by one possession," said Dalton State Coach Tony Ingle. ""We were pretty good and consistent offensively all night, but I felt like we needed to play better defense the first half."

Dalton State is now tied with Loyola of New Orleans for 8th in the Southern States Athletic Conference. William Carey leads the SSAC with 7-2 conference record. Mobile is second at 7-3 followed by Middle Georgia (6-3), Bethel (5-3), Auburn-Montgomery (6-4), Faulkner (5-5) and Martin Methodist (4-4).

After the 4-5 SSAC records of Dalton State and Loyola, Brewton-Parker and Coastal Georgia are tied at 10th in the conference (3-7). Blue Mountain brings up the rear (2-8).

The Roadrunners return home to Mashburn Arena for a Thursday night game against College of Coastal Georgia. Tip-off will be at 7:30 p.m.

NAIA Men's Basketball Scoreboard:

Middle Georgia State 83, Dalton State 80
Coastal Georgia 74, Auburn-Montgomery 69 (OT)
(19) Mobile - AL 63, Blue Mountain - MS 56
Faulkner - AL 84, Brewton-Parker - GA 63
(2) LSU Alexandria 102, Paul Quinn - TX 52
Thomas - GA 82, Ave Maria - FL 68
(RV) Dillard - LA 84, (8) Talladega - AL 74
(10) Arizona Christian 80, Vanguard 0 CA 71
Wiley - TX 98, Huston-Tillotson 0 TX 90
(13) Texas Wesleyan 76, St. Gregory's - OK 68

Life - GA at (RV) Lindsey Wilson - KY PPD
Shawnee State - OH at (1) Pikeville - KY  PPD
(5) Georgetown - KY at (RV) Cumberlands 0 KY  PPD

NAIA Women's Basketball Scoreboard:

Brenau - Ga. 69, Middle Georgia State 57
(RV) Auburn-Montgomery 69, Coastal Georgia 55
Blue Mountain - MS 66, Mobile - AL 65
(24) Loyola - LA  71, William Carey - MS 62
Faulkner - AL 77, Brewton-Parker - GA 70