CLEVELAND – The Delta State women's and men's basketball teams host their first Gulf South Conference doubleheader tonight when the teams host West Alabama starting at 6 p.m.

The No. 4 Lady Statesmen enter their game with the Lady Tigers riding a two-game winning streak after a pair of season-opening wins over LeMoyne-Owen College.

Delta State is led by preseason All-American candidates Bug Cooper, Moe Bell, Jessica Collins and Veronica Walker. In two games, Walker has led the Lady Statesmen by averaging 20.5 points and eight rebounds per game. She is shooting an astounding 79 percent from the field thus far.

A big portion of Walker's success can be traced to the play of point guard Cooper, who is averaging 7.5 points and 7.5 assists per contest.

Another Lady Statesman commanding attention is senior post Ashley Martin. The 6-foot-2 transfer from Southern Miss has poured in 12.5 points per game on 85 percent shooting. She was a perfect 5-for-5 off the bench for Delta State in Saturday's home win over LeMoyne-Owen.

The Lady Statesmen are also riding a 37-game home winning streak that dates back to the 2006-2007 season when Southern Arkansas took a 52-49 win at Sillers Coliseum.

Following the conclusion of the women's game, the Delta State men's basketball team will make its 2009-2010 home debut when the Statesmen take the court against the Tigers. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.

The No. 23 Statesmen opened the season by splitting a pair of games against NAIA opponents in New Orleans last week. Delta State opened with a 71-60 loss at Xavier on Wednesday before rebounding with a 97-96 overtime win at Loyola the following night. Loyola had garnered several votes in the NAIA Division I men's basketball poll.

Roderick Ollie has led the Statesmen in their two previous games. The senior 6-foot-6 transfer from Alabama-Birmingham has averaged 21 points in two games, which included 31 points in Delta State's win over Loyola.

Joe McCray, who scored the game-winning points against Loyola, has averaged 14.5 points per game.

Tonight's games against West Alabama will not count in the GSC conference standings, as West Alabama plays in the East Division. Delta State will play crossover doubleheaders against all six schools from the GSC East.