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Statesmen outlast Lions, 51-44

Wide receiver Lance Evans (7-97, 3 TDs) had a stellar evening for the Lions.
lionathletics.com

The much-anticipated matchup between no. 18 Texas A&M University-Commerce and no. 10 Delta State University lived up to its billing as a tilt between two heavyweights. But even though the Lions led for most of the evening, when the bell rang out the end of the final round, the visiting Statesmen won the evening with a 51-44 triumph.

It was an evenly played game from start to finish. A&M-Commerce (1-1) enjoyed a 27-23 advantage at halftime. And when quarterback Harrison Stewart connected with wide receiver Lance Evans for a 15-yard touchdown with about 6 minutes left in the third quarter, the ensuing extra point gave the Lions a 34-23 lead.

However, Delta State (2-0) answered every A&M-Commerce success with one of its own. The Statesmen responded with a 10-play, 81-yard touchdown drive that took only two and a half minutes. The Lions’ Chase Thrasher booted a 44-yard field goal to give the home team a 37-30 advantage. Delta State closed the third quarter with another two-minute, 78-yard touchdown drive to knot the score at 37 apiece to begin the fourth quarter.

The Lions took their last lead of the evening just a few minutes later. Darby Smith hauled in a 65-yard catch that helped put A&M-Commerce up 44-37 with 14:50 to play.

Delta State was stonewalled by the Lions on two red-zone fourth downs later in the quarter. On the second such play, Dionte Taylor’s stunning pass breakup near the goal line saved a certain touchdown and held the lead for A&M-Commerce.

But the Statesmen’s juggernaut offense, led by Harlan Hill Trophy candidate Tyler Sullivan, lit up the Lions in the game’s closing minutes. Two touchdown passes in the game’s final four minutes brought Delta State even, then gave the visitors what turned out to be the margin of victory.

With about a minute to play, the Lions mounted a desperation drive to even the score, but an incomplete pass from the Statesmen 11-yard-line as time ran out ended the game.

Stewart completed 29 of 50 passing attempts for 422 yards, including four touchdowns. The Statesmen picked off Stewart twice. Lance Evans scored three of those touchdowns and finished with 97 yards receiving. On the ground, Richard Cooper finished 25-135, with one touchdown. Delta State’s Sullivan ended the game 34 of 56 with 491 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.
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