MONTICELLO, Ark. –The Delta State University women's basketball team escaped Steelman Fieldhouse Thursday with a 76-73 overtime victory over the University of Arkansas-Monticello. The Lady Statesmen improved to 18-6 on the year and took sole possession of the Gulf South Conference West Division lead at 8-1. The Cotton Blossoms dropped to 15-5 overall and 7-2 in league play.

Thursday's meeting between Delta State and Arkansas-Monticello was for sole possession of the lead in the GSC West, and the game was definitely worthy of the consequences riding on the event.

Trailing 66-61 with 1:08 remaining in the game, the Lady Statesmen went on a 7-0 run to take a 68-66 lead with 29 seconds remaining in regulation on Moe Bell's three-pointer from the right wing.

UAM's Erika Brown missed a point-blank lay-up with three seconds remaining. DSU's LaMaesha McAdory cleared the rebound and in an effort to run out the clock stepped out of bounds with 0.6 seconds left.

UAM's final possession was executed to perfection, as Andrea DuBose used two screens to come free for the game-tying lay-up as the clock expired with the scoreboard reading 68 all.

UAM finished regulation shooting 50.7 percent, while DSU shot a blistering 56.7 percent.

In overtime, both teams struggled offensively, as Delta State edged Arkansas-Monticello 8-5 for the 76-73 win. The Lady Statesmen connected on just 2-of-10 field goals in overtime, but the Cotton Blossoms were even worse, hitting on just one field goal.

Cooper and Walker scored a bucket each for the Lady Statesmen and free throws from Cooper and Bell gave DSU just enough for the win.

Cooper finished with a career-high 21 points, while Bell added 13 points and Walker chipped in with 10.

Monica Perkins-Miller led the Cotton Blossoms with 17 points.

The first half was fitting of a game of this magnitude, as the lead changed five times and the score was tied seven times. As the first half horn sounded, the Lady Statesmen held a slim 39-36 lead over the Cotton Blossoms.

Bug Cooper led the Lady Statesmen with 11 points, while freshman sensation Veronica Walker chipped in five points. Cooper, the NCAA's leader in assists, dished out two first half assists.

UAM was led by Taylor Clark's 12 points.

Both teams shot the ball well in the opening half. DSU shot 62.5 percent, while UAM connected on 57.0 percent.

The Lady Statesmen return to Walter Sillers Coliseum Saturday, Feb. 14, as Delta State hosts Christian Brothers University. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. The Lady Statesmen will be hosting the seventh annual “Pink Out Sillers Coliseum” event as part of the game's festivities. Any fan wearing pink to Saturday's game will receive free admission to the game. Donations will also be accepted at the door with all proceeds going to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Pink Zone cancer initiative.