Dalton State stormed out to a big lead and hung on late for an 88-79 win over Brewton-Parker (Ga.) on Senior Day at Mashburn Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Birds stormed out of the gate to a quick 8-0 lead.
Brewton-Parker hung tight to the Roadrunners, not letting the lead get into double-digits.
With 7:49 remaining in the half, the Barons had cut the lead to three points (28-25).
An 11-3 run, keyed by a Randy Bell triple allowed Dalton State to draw out the lead.
DS followed with another 9-2 spurt before the half to carry a 48-32 lead into the break.
Aaron Burress got a put back basket and free throw to extend the lead to 21 points (65-44) with 14:05 left in the game.
The Roadrunner lead stayed in the 15-20 point range until the final five minutes of the contest when turnovers from Dalton State and good offensive possessions from Brewton-Parker started to shave the lead.
A 15-5 run from the Barons cut the lead to six (83-77) with just over a minute left.
The run came too late though as the Roadrunners converted from the charity stripe to hold on for the victory, 88-79.
Dalton State (Ga.) improves to (26-2 overall, 14-2 SSAC) with the win, while Brewton-Parker (Ga.) falls to (6-20 overall, 1-15 SSAC) with the loss. Five Roadrunners scored in double-figures led by Kevon Tucker with 21 points and eight rebounds. Rodley Adjei followed with 18 points and four assists. C.J. Perry had 14 points with four triples. Randy Bell added 13 points and six rebounds, while Dauson Womack completed the double-double with 11 points and 11 boards.
Jack Grey led the Barons with 20 points. Jamarcus Scott and John Allen had 17 and 13 points respectively.
The Barons put up a fight in the paint, but the Roadrunners clipped them in points (35-30). Dalton State held the clear edge on the boards with a 42-19 advantage. Points off turnovers went to the Birds (16-15) as did second chance points (16-1).
Dalton State was efficient from the field in the first half going 19-for-36 (52.8%), but only managed to go 9-for-24 (37.5%) in the second half. In contrast, Brewton-Parker was 18-for-33 (54.5%) in the second half, which allowed them to slice into the lead late.
Dalton State will finish out the regular season on the road. Their next contest is a big one when they visit #10 Faulkner (Ala.) on Thursday, February 27. Tip-Off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (CT).