On Jan. 12, the Statesmen basketball team faced a home court battle against the North Alabama Lions, defeating them 84-80. The Statesmen won the opening tip and scored six unanswered points at the start of the game until North Alabama answered back with a three-pointer to stop the Statesmen’s run. From there, the game was neck-and-neck. The Statesmen maintained their lead for a few minutes, but halfway into the first, North Alabama slipped out in front.

The Lions maintained their lead for some time, holding all the momentum. The Statesmen fought back for the lead, and with a little over four minutes left in the game, they were up 26-24. However, after a game-changing technical foul against the Statesmen, and a three-point shot thereafter by North Alabama, the lead fell back in the hands of the Lions, with the score 26-30. The student section chanted simultaneously at the referees, “Take his whistle!” With the student section on their feet, the Statesmen rallied back, ending the first half up by two (36-34).

The second half began with the ball in the Lions’ hands, but not for long, as the Statesmen stole the ball and converted the forced turnover into points. The teams battled on, and a little less than five minutes into the second half, the game was tied up, 43-43. The Statesmen made a pair of free throws soon after that, and they maintained their lead until, once again, the game was tied up after the Lions’ hit a three-pointer with five minutes left in the game.

The Statesmen managed to pull ahead enough that with 1:19 left, the Lions began to foul out of desperation to stop the clock. The final minute of the game drug on as the Statesmen struggled to hit some of their free throws; however, after some great defensive play, the Statesmen finished with the win. The score board read 84-80 when the final buzzer blew, and the crowd roared.

Senior Devin Schmidt (23) had 26 points and four rebounds for the Statesmen. Junior Ravion Henry (2) had 14 points, including one three-pointer. Junior Cedric Harper (4) had 11 points and was 100 percent from the field. Junior John Cornish (5) scored ten points, including two three-pointers.

The win was a team effort. Even through the opposition they faced, the Statesmen still managed to find a way to win, and the crowd celebrated with them all the way out the door.