Weekly Release No. 5: Arkansas-Monticello and Christian Brothers

CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen (17-6, 7-1 GSCW) of Delta State University will look to rebound from their first Gulf South Conference loss in two years this week with a pair of key GSC contests at Arkansas-Monticello (15-4, 7-1 GSCW) Thursday and at home versus Christian Brothers (8-13, 1-7 GSCW) Saturday at Walter Sillers Coliseum. 

Ouachita Baptist finally snapped a 31-game GSC winning streak with a 64-58 upset of then-No. 25 ranked Delta State at Bill Vining Arena last Thursday in Arkadelphia, Ark. The six point defeat was the first GSC loss for the Lady Statesmen since Jan. 18, 2007 at the hands of Southern Arkansas. 

Sophomore point guard Bug Cooper has continued to deliver for Rushing's Lady Statesmen. The 5-foot-6 speedster leads the GSC and the nation in assists per game at 7.69. Through 23 games, Cooper has dished out an amazing 177 dimes.

In regional ranking news, the Lady Statesmen remained No. 2 in the latest NCAA South Region Poll behind Rollins College.  Thursday's opponent, Arkansas-Monticello, moved up to No. 5 in the rankings this week.   

As part of Saturday's game with CBU, the Lady Statesmen are hosting the seventh annual "Pink Out" Sillers Coliseum Event.  Any one wearing pink to the game will receive free admission to the game, as part of the WBCA's continued fight against cancer.  More information is available on the event on the Women's Basketball webpage.