Dalton State's Anthony Hilliard (3) lays up a shot in the second half
The Dalton State basketball Roadrunners defeated Carver College of Atlanta, 72-68, Wednesday night at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center.
Down by six at the half, 26-22, the Roadrunners came out strong in the second half to go ahead by 12 points, 43-31, but Carver kept on coming.
Preston Earle hit a three-point shot with 1:26 left in the game to give Dalton State an eight point lead at 61-53. That is when the visiting Cougars made a strategic decision to send the Roadrunners to the foul line.
During the final 62 seconds, Sean Tate hit seven of eight free throw attempts, Nathan Terry went two for two at the charity stripe, and Ricky Sears went one for two.
Dalton State finished the night hitting 21 of 32 (65.6%) from the line, but Carver out rebounded the hosts 49 to 39.
The Roadrunner’s Preston Earle scored 18 points. Ricky Sears scored 17 points, pulled down eight rebounds, and had six assists. Sean Tate finished with 16 points, including 9/10 from the foul line. Nathan Terry and Anthony Hilliard each added six points. Terry also had five rebounds. Demetrice Jacobs had five points and nine boards.
The Cougar’s Joseph Comer scored 16 points, Derek Douglas scored 15. Julian Bratton finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Christopher Datcher had eight points and 10 rebounds. Carver drops to 2-5 on the season.
Dalton State (6-1) will host a four-team basketball event this week at the trade center. Admission is good for two games each day.
The Roadrunners will face Morris College from Sumter, SC at around 8:00 p.m. Friday. Before that contest, Cumberland University from Lebanon, TN will square-off against Voorhees College from Denmark, SC at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday activity at the trade center will tip-off at 2:00 p.m. Cumberland will meet Morris College. Dalton State will follow at around 4:00 p.m. against Voorhees.