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Dalton State College Athletics

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Men's Basketball-Omarion Smith
Marshall Stephens, TriStar Visuals
65
Thomas THOMAS 7-20, 4-14
85
Winner Dalton State (GA) DALTON S 20-8, 13-5
Thomas THOMAS
7-20, 4-14
65
Final
85
Dalton State (GA) DALTON S
20-8, 13-5
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Thomas THOMAS 24 41 65
Dalton State (GA) DALTON S 34 51 85

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

Dalton State Rolls Past Thomas, 85–65, Behind Hot Second Half and Balanced Attack


DALTON, Ga. – Dalton State turned a 10-point halftime lead into an emphatic 85–65 home win over Thomas (Ga.) on Saturday afternoon at Bandy Gym. The hosts improved to 20–8 (13–5) with the victory, while the Night Hawks fell to 7–20 (4–14).

Dalton State shot 55.9% for the game and piled up 25 assists on 33 field goals, showcasing crisp ball movement from start to finish.
 
RECAP
FIRST HALF
Ja'Ron Briggs set the tone by drilling a three on the game's opening possession, and Dalton State methodically built a cushion before taking a 34–24 lead into the locker room.

The defense held Thomas to 32.3% shooting in the half, while the offense hit 48.0%, aided by timely buckets from Kyoya Sasaki and Omarion Smith during a late surge.

A Sasaki triple followed by a Smith dunk in the closing minutes helped stabilize the margin, and Smith's jumper with :14 left capped the first-half scoring for the home side.
 
SECOND HALF
Dalton State came out firing after the break, pouring in 51 second-half points on a blistering 61.8% from the field to put the game out of reach.

Qualen Pettus ignited the push with a corner three and a transition dunk during a decisive stretch, while Briggs and Smith kept the pressure on with mid-range makes and paint touches.

The lead ballooned to as many as 26 after an Otto Berzins three with 2:02 remaining, allowing Dalton State to comfortably close it out.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
  • Final: Dalton State (Ga.) 85, Thomas (Ga.) 65
  • Scoring Leaders (Dalton State): Qualen Pettus 16 (5 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL); Omarion Smith 15 (8 REB, 4 BLK); Kyoya Sasaki 13; Ja'Ron Briggs 11 (6 AST)
  • Team Shooting: Dalton State 55.9% FG (33–59), 36.4% 3PT (8–22), 64.7% FT (11–17). Thomas 36.1% FG (22–61), 25.0% 3PT (5–20)
  • Ball Movement & Defense: Dalton State 25 assists, 16 steals, 5 blocks; forced 17 Thomas turnovers, converting them into 20 points off turnovers
  • Glass & Paint: Rebounds 36–30 Dalton State; 46–26 edge in points in the paint
  • Bench Impact: Dalton State reserves outscored Thomas 35–29
  • Game Flow: Largest lead 26 (2nd half, 2:02); ties 3, lead changes 2
  • Thomas Leaders: Armani Thomas 15; Jonathan Goldson 9; Eli Curry 9; Michael Smith 8
UP NEXT
The Roadrunners head to Montgomery, Ala. for the SSAC Championship that begins on Wednesday, February 25. DS receives a first round bye as the top seed in the East and will play the winner of Thomas (Ga.)/Mobile (Ala.) on Thursday, February 26 at 2:115 p.m. (CT).
 
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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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