Box Score


Dalton State                 35    36  =  71
Auburn-Montgomery  25    37  =  62


The Dalton State basketball team scored the first eight points and 12 of the final 14 on Saturday at the Dalton Convention Center's Mashburn Arena to knock-off Auburn-Montgomery 71-62 in another hard-fought Southern States Athletic Conference game. A homecoming crowd of 1,589 witnessed the game and all of the festivities.

The visiting Warhawks went on a roll and pulled to within two (12-10) with 15:40 left before the intermission. A three pointer by Reed Dungan with 8:46 remaining in the half put the Roadrunners up by 13 (26-13). Dalton State's half-time lead was 35-25.

Auburn-Montgomery started strong after the break, outscoring Dalton State 16-6 during the first 2:12 to tie the game at 41. AUM kept it close and took their first lead of the night (53-52) when Dalton native Tristen Harrell hit a three with 7:35 remaining.

The final Warhawk advantage (60-59) was followed by a 12-2 Roadrunner burst for the nine point DS victory.

Dalton State out rebounded AUM 43-35 and outscored the visitors in the paint, 32-18.  The Roadrunners hit 24-56 from the floor (42.9%) to the Warhawks 22-55 (40%), but were outscored from three point range. DS was 5-15 or 33.3% while AUM was 11-21 or 53.4%.

Free throws were a DS advantage. Dalton State was 18-28 for the night, or 63.3%. Auburn-Montgomery was just 7-17 for 41.4% from the foul line.   

"We did what we had to do to win a basketball game," said Coach Tony Ingle. "Our guys really worked hard, they worked as a team, the worked together, and we were able to find a way to win a ballgame."

Two Roadrunners hit double-doubles Saturday night. Jalen Robinson had a game-high 18 points and 17 rebounds. He also had two blocked shots. Marcel Hawkins scored a dozen points while pulling down 10 rebounds. Reed Dungan scored 17 points in just over 25 minutes of playing time. Dungan added two assists and one blocked shot. Jordan Bowling scored 13 points. Rudy Winters scored nine points in only 14:06 of playing time.

Auburn-Montgomery's Reagan Eubanks scored 17 points including 5-8 from three. Romoane Eager added was 3-4 from outside on his way to a 13 point night. Harrell finished the day with nine points.


It's a Tight Race

As the final week of the regular season approaches, the top of the SSAC is close.
 
No. 14 William Carey lost to Martin Methodist on Saturday, 90-84, but remains in the SSAC lead with a 12-4 (.750) record. The Crusaders have two games in the final week. They host Mobile on Thursday and Loyola on Saturday.

No. 24 Middle Georgia State fell to Faulkner on Saturday. The Knights are just behind the William Carey Cavaliers at 11-6 (.647).  Middle Georgia and Dalton State meet in the final regular season game for both teams. The battle at Mashburn Arena will have major play-off implications. If Middle Georgia wins and Carey loses, those two teams would be tied for the regular season championship. They even split their regular season games with each other.

A Roadrunner win would put them in a tie for second with scenarios that would have to be determined based on next Saturday's winners and losers. Dalton State, Bethel, and Martin Methodist are currently tied for third at 10-7 (.588). Faulkner and Loyola are currently tied for sixth in the conference at 9-7.

Auburn-Montgomery, Mobile, and Coastal Georgia have also qualified for the March 2-5 SSAC Tournament at the Crampton Bowl in Montgomery. Brewton-Parker and Blue Mountain have been eliminated. 
 
NAIA Men's Basketball Scoreboard:
Dalton State 71, Auburn-Montgomery 62
Martin Methodist (TN) 90, (14) William Carey (MS) 84
Faulkner (AL) 89, (24) Middle Georgia State 80
Coastal Georgia 75, Brewton-Parker 71
Bethel (TN) 90, Blue Mountain (TN) 67
Loyola (LA) 54, Mobile 44
Georgetown (KY) 111, Life (GA) 89
Campbellsville (KY) 80, Cumberland (TN) 75
Cumberlands (KY) 79, Pikeville (KY) 78
St. Catharine (KY) 137, Lindsey Wilson (KY) 80
Truett-McConnell (GA) 84, Bryan (TN) 75
Tennessee Wesleyan 100, Montreat (NC) 84
Dillard (LA) 92, Philander Smith (ARK) 91

Photo Gallery Under Constructioon: