Box Score PHOTOS
HUNTSVILLE | The University of Alabama in Huntsville men's basketball team suffered its first Gulf South Conference loss of the season on Saturday night, falling 86-82 in overtime to visiting Delta State. UAH drops to 6-4 (2-1 GSC), while the Statesmen improve to 9-2 (2-1 GSC).
 
The contest was a back-and-forth affair as the lead exchanged hands 13 times, and there were also 13 ties in the game.
 
The final tie of regulation came with just 15 seconds on the clock as after Ronnie Mack had hit a pair of free throws to put the Chargers up 72-69, Devin Schmidt nailed a 3-pointer on the other end of the floor to knot the contest at 72-72. On the ensuing possession, UAH was fouled but was unable to convert the free throws, sending the game to overtime.
 
The extra session alone featured a pair of ties and two lead changes, but a 6-0 run for the Statesmen within the final minute of the frame helped seal the victory.
 
Four Chargers scored in double figures in the contest led by Wayne Dedrick who scored 26 – including 19 in a torrid first half that saw the sophomore go 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. Equally strong in the second half was Ronnie Mack who scored all 20 of his points in the second stanza, and they were joined in double figures by freshman Seab Webster who tallied a season-best 13 points and Blasi who chipped in with 11.
 
UAH outshot the visitors by a 52.6 percent to 51.7 percent clip for the game, but Delta State held a 36-24 advantage inside the paint. DSU also outrebounded the Chargers 39-23.
 
Schmidt led DSU with 21 points, while Willie Readus notched a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
 
UAH will return to action after the holidays in Pensacola, Fla., with a Jan. 4 contest against West Florida.