Men's Basketball to Host Delta State in Exhibition Thursday

Live Stats
Watch

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Year three of the Jay Ladner era begins on Thursday night when the Southern Miss men's basketball team hosts Delta State in an exhibition match. Tipoff at Reed Green Coliseum is set for 7 p.m., and admission is free.

Delta State is coming off a 4-10 conference-only campaign but return two of its top-three scorers from a season ago. Legendary Division II head coach Mike Nienaber is in his third season with the Statesmen and travels to Hattiesburg for the second time during his Delta State tenure. Southern Miss won an exhibition against the Statesmen in November 2019, which marked the first meeting between the schools since 1976.

Southern Miss returns the two-headed monster of Tae Hardy and Tyler Stevenson. Stevenson averaged a team-high 14.1 points per game and Hardy was second in scoring at 11.0 points per game. The Golden Eagles also return Jaron Pierre Jr., a Conference USA All-Freshman Team honoree. DeAndre Pinckney and Denijay Harris look to play an expanded role this season as both return with a year of Division I experience under their belts. The additions of Division I transfers Isaih Moore (St. John's) and Mo Arnold (Jacksonville) give an added level of experience for the Golden Eagles to go along with JUCO transfer Walyn Napper, a NJCAA First Team All-American at Dodge City CC.

The regular season begins Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. against William Carey. Single-game and season tickets are available through SouthernMissTickets.com, calling 1-800-844-TICK or visiting the Pat Ferlise Center during normal business hours.

Follow @SouthernMissMBB on social media for updates.

Men's Basketball to Host Delta State in Exhibition Thursday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mo Arnold

Tae Hardy

Denijay Harris

Isaih Moore

Walyn Napper

DeAndre Pinckney

Tyler Stevenson