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Dalton State College Athletics

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Men's Basketball-Ja'Ron Briggs
80
Winner Dalton State (GA) DALTON S 3-0, 0-0
73
Johnson (TN) JOHNSON 0-2, 0-0
Winner
Dalton State (GA) DALTON S
3-0, 0-0
80
Final
73
Johnson (TN) JOHNSON
0-2, 0-0
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Dalton State (GA) DALTON S 39 41 80
Johnson (TN) JOHNSON 32 41 73

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Erik Simpson, Sports Information Director

No. 18 Dalton State Holds Off (RV) Johnson (Tenn.) For 80–73 Neutral Site Victory


WALESKA, Ga. – No. 18-ranked Dalton State improved to 2–0 on the season with a hard-fought 80–73 win over Johnson (Tenn) at the Brown Athletic Center in Waleska on Saturday. Behind balanced scoring and clutch free throws down the stretch, Dalton State weathered a late surge from the Royals to remain unbeaten.
 
RECAP
FIRST HALF
Dalton State came out strong, shooting 56.7% from the field in the opening half. Kota Benson sparked the offense early with a pair of threes and finished the half with 11 points. Qualen Pettus dominated inside, scoring 13 first-half points on 6-of-9 shooting. The Roadrunners built a 39–32 lead at the break thanks to efficient ball movement (9 assists). Johnson stayed close behind with Mateu Martin's 12 points and timely threes from Caden Windle and Ben Underwood.
 
SECOND HALF
The Birds opened the second half with energy, but Johnson matched it and cut the deficit, even tied the game at 66–66 with 3:40 remaining after a Garrison Eady three-pointer. Dalton State responded immediately—Ja'Ron Briggs drilled a clutch three, and Pettus added a dagger triple with 1:25 left to push the lead to six. The Roadrunners sealed the win at the free-throw line, hitting 13-of-17 in the second half. Pettus and Benson combined for 21 second-half points, while Briggs added nine, including a highlight-reel dunk early in the period.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
  • Dalton State (2-0)
    • Qualen Pettus: 24 pts, 4 rebs, 2 ast (9-13 FG)
    • Kota Benson: 21 pts, 5 rebs, 4 ast (7-11 FG)
    • Ja'Ron Briggs: 12 pts, 5 rebs, 3 stl
    • Team FG%: 52.6%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 68.2%
    • Points off turnovers: 21 (forced 14 TOs)
  • Johnson (0-2)
    • Mateu Martin: 21 pts, 5 rebs
    • Mason Lockhart: 11 pts, 6 rebs
    • Garrison Eady: 8 pts, 2 threes off bench
    • Team FG%: 53.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 72.7%
Game Notes: Dalton State's largest lead was 10 points (19:20, 2nd half). The game featured 10 ties and 12 lead changes, highlighting its back-and-forth nature.

UP NEXT
#18 Dalton State heads back to Waleska for the second game of the Canyon's Classic on Sunday when they take on Reinhardt (Ga.). Tip-Off at the Brown Athletic Center is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
 
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FIND NEWS AND FOLLOW THE BIRDS: News and updates from Dalton State's men's basketball team is posted on dsroadrunners.com and on X (@DStateBBall), Facebook (@DStateBasketball) and Instagram (dstatebball). Be sure to follow to keep pace with the Birds!
 
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