Dalton, Ga. - #6-ranked Dalton State would trail by as many as 16 points in the first half, but battled back to defeat Middle Georgia 85-81 at Mashburn Arena
on Saturday afternoon.
THE FIRST HALF
Middle Georgia would take control of the game early in the first half quickly getting out to a 19-9 lead after a Laramie Hubbard bucket at the 13:25 mark. The Roadrunners would trim the lead to four at 19-15, but a 14-2 run by Middle Georgia would extend the lead to 16 with 6:18 left in the half.
With the lead still standing at 16 with 3:59 to go, Dalton State would start to cut into the lead. A second chance basket from Deshawn Ruffin would put the Knight lead at 10 heading into the half.
THE SECOND HALF
Dalton State would come out of the break and continue to slowly and methodically cut into the Middle Georgia lead. Two Reed Dungan free throws with 14:16 left in regulation would cap a 19-9 Dalton State spurt and pull the Roadrunners even with the Knights at 54-54.
Both teams would struggle to gain momentum, trading the lead six times over the next 11 minutes of play. Dalton State would finally take control of the contest with 3:43 left when Raheem England kick-started an 8-0 run with a second chance opportunity that drew a foul. The Roadrunners hold on from there for the 85-81 win.
THE REST OF THE STORY
#6 Dalton State improves to (7-2 overall, 2-0 SSAC) with the win, while Middle Georgia falls to (4-5 overall, 0-2 SSAC) with the loss. Reed Dungan led the Roadrunners with 27 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Sean Chislom had a double-double with 25 points and 10 boards. Isaiah Box and Raheem England notched 10 points each, with Box adding four assists and England adding nine rebounds.
Middle Georgia had four players score in double-figures led by Darrell White with 18 points. Roshaun Milline added 14 points, while Marques Hinton and Tyrone Young added 11 and 10 points respectively.
Dalton State controlled the paint, out-scoring the Knights 36-10 and holding the advantage on the boards, 42-33.
UP NEXT
#6 Dalton State will hit the road on December 16, traveling to Pulaski, Tenn. for a key SSAC game against #25 Martin Methodist (Tenn.). Tip-Off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. (CST).