CLEVELAND – Veronica Walker scored a career-high 27 points and blocked five shots to lead No. 4 Delta State to a 78-52 win over Alabama–Huntsville on Saturday.

Walker (Indianola, Miss./Gentry HS) missed only one shot during the game, as she was 10-of-11 from the field against the Lady Chargers. She also drained all seven free throws she attempted, and bested her previous high of 23 points, set last year against Rhema Bible College.

The Lady Statesmen won their 38th consecutive home contest as they improved to 4-0 on the season. Alabama–Huntsville fell to 2-3.

Monica Boatright and Marissa Carter scored 14 points apiece for the Lady Chargers.

Moe Bell (Madison, Miss./Madison-Ridgeland Academy) scored 15 points for the Lady Statesmen. Joncyee Sanders (Brandon, Miss./Brandon HS) came off the bench to score 10 points for Delta States

Bell, who had been shooting less than 30 percent from behind the 3-point arc in Delta State's first three games, broke out of her slump draining five out of eight long-range shots, all in the first half.

The Lady Statesmen shot 50 percent from the field in both halves, and were 28-of-56 for the game. Delta State held the Lady Chargers to 27 percent shooting from the floor (14-of-52) for the game.

Although the Lady Chargers were ice-cold from the field, Delta State head coach Sandra Rushing said she talked to her team about its defensive efforts during halftime.

“I told them we needed better defensive intensity,” Rushing said. “I think they were doing a great job of taking it to us on dribble-drive and we were standing up on defense.”

Though the Lady Chargers were getting off shots, their inability to put the ball in the basket put them behind early. After the Lady Chargers tied the game at four with 18:43 remaining in the first quarter, the Lady Statesmen embarked on a 14-1 run over the next seven minutes to set the pace for the first half.

Walker was sizzling in the first half, going 6-of-6 from the field and adding a pair of free throws to give her 14 points prior to the midgame break.

The Lady Statesmen offense was firing on all cylinders thanks to the play of Bug Cooper (Indianola, Miss./Gentry HS), who tallied 12 assists in addition to registering five points and four steals. Sanders and Jessica Collins (Jackson, Miss./Itawamba CC) handed out five assists apiece.

Even with the improvements that need to be made on defense, Rushing said she is proud of the improvement the Lady Statesmen have shown through four games this season.

“We've made a lot of progress. I've seen this team improve. I'm very proud of them but I'm not going to let up on them because I know what's coming,” Rushing said. “I like what I'm seeing out there, we just have some defensive lapses.”

The Lady Statesmen host North Alabama on Monday at Sillers Coliseum. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.