PULASKI, Tenn. - #6-ranked Dalton State ended a grueling three-game stretch by getting their 12th straight victory, defeating Martin Methodist (Tenn.) 75-71 at Curry Christian Life Center in Pulaski, Tenn. on Saturday.
It was a close game early with the Roadrunners holding a slim lead for much of the first eight minutes of the contest.
Right before the 12 minute mark, Martin Methodist went on a 9-0 run to pull out a 26-18 lead. DS chipped into the lead slightly, but Adarian Hudson hit a three-ball with 8:53 on the clock give make the lead nine points (29-20).
The MMC lead was whittled to three points after Kevon Tucker hit a shot from distance with 4:19 to go, but Felix Hayes answered with seven-straight of his own for the RedHawks to stretch the lead back out. The last bucket of the half went to the Birds as Dauson Womack put one off the glass to cut the Martin Methodist advantage to five at the half (34-34).
Dalton State worked quickly to erase the deficit as the second half began, but MMC matched their effort. DS managed to cut it to one point (44-43) less than five minutes in. Over the next stretch of play both squads matched one another with 5-0 runs as the score remained tight.
Just shy of the midway mark DS made a run capped by back-to-back three-pointers from Sean Cranney and Randy Bell to take a four-point lead, 58-54. An Aaron Burress basket with 8:31 remaining got the Roadrunner lead to seven points (62-55), but the RedHawks would not go away.
The Roadrunners kept the lead and with two minutes left Cranney hit a shot in the paint to give them a three-point lead and some breathing room.
Martin Methodist failed to hit shots to get back into the game and Dalton State converted from the charity stripe to hold on for a 75-71 victory.
#6 Dalton State (Ga.) improves to (19-1 overall, 8-1 SSAC) with the win, while Martin Methodist (Tenn.) falls to (11-7 overall, 4-5 SSAC) with the loss. Five Roadrunners scored in double-figures led by Kevon Tucker with 19 points and four rebounds.
Dauson Womack had a double-double with 14 points and 13 boards in his first start of the year, while Sean Cranney (11), Randy Bell (11), and Rodley Adjei (10) also scored in double-digits. Cranney added 5 stills, with Bell and Adjei combining for three assists.
Felix Hayes rattled home 24 points on six three's to lead the RedHawk effort. Darrin Jenkins (16) and Antares Gwyn (10) also scored in double-figures for MMC.
Shots behind the arc is what kept Martin Methodist in the ballgame. They connected on 7-of-14 (50%) in the first half and 10-of-23 (43.5%) for the game. Dalton State only managed to go 5-for-23 (21.7%) from distance, but was more consistent from the field.
The Roadrunners shot 45.8% (27-for-59) overall for the game with the RedHawks going 23-for-55 (41.8%). In the second half though, DS held MMC to 37.5% (9-for-24) and just three treys.
Rebounds went to the Birds (39-34) as did points in the paint (42-22). They also held the advantage in points off turnovers (19-14) and bench points (21-10). Second chance points were a push at 16-16.
#6 Dalton State will be back at home on Thursday when they host Stillman (Ala.) at Bandy Gym on All-Academic Night where Dalton State Athletics will recognize athletes for their academic merit in the Fall semester. Tip-Off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
It will be the first of two games at Bandy Gym for the Roadrunners, who also host Mobile (Ala.) for homecoming on Saturday. Tip-Off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Both games are not part of the season ticket package at Mashburn Arena. Admission will be $5 for all.