DALTON, Ga. – The #5 Roadrunners returned to form as they defeated the Middle Georgia University Knights 81-72 on Thursday night at Mashburn Arena.

THE FIRST HALF
The Roadrunners and Knights started on even footing as they began slowly with a 7-7 tie with 16:31 left. Dalton State would be the first to gain an advantage with a 14-4 run to take the lead 21-11, capped with a good field goal in the paint by J'Quayveon Williams with 10:49 left. The Knights would move to counter with a 9-0 run of their own to shrink the gap to 1 point at 21-20 with 7:37 left. Both teams would continue to push offensively, but the Roadrunners would maintain their lead going into the break, 39-34.

THE SECOND HALF
The Roadrunners would waste no time extending their lead to 11 points out of the gate with a good field goal in the paint by Isaiah Box with 17:10 left. The Knights would go on to shrink the gap to 5 points at 47-42 with 14:25 left, but would be unable to maintain their momentum as the Roadrunners would kick their offense into high gear to grow their lead to 12 points at 54-42 with 12:53 left. The Knights would continue to trail for the remainder of the half as the Roadrunners would go on to win game 81-72.

THE REST OF THE STORY
The Roadrunners improve to 21-3 overall, 13-3 in the SSAC, for the season with the win. Dalton State was lead in scoring by Mike Harden with 20 points. Carnilious Simmons followed with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds, and made 6 steals over the course of the game. Sayvon Wilson contributed another double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Isaiah Box rounded out the team in scoring with 14 points.

The Knights fall to 11-13 overall, 6-10 in the SSAC, for the season with the loss. Middle Georgia was led by the continued strong play of Kieston Standfield with 20 points. Roshaun Milline followed with 14 points, and JeVaughn Sanchez scored 11 points alongside 8 rebounds. Brandon Ingleton rounded out the team with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The Roadrunners season continues at home in Mashburn Arena against #17 William Carey University (Miss.) this Saturday, February 18, at 4:00 p.m in the NAIA Network Game of the Week.