Weekly Release No. 6 - Southern Arkansas and Arkansas Tech

CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen (19-6, 9-1 GSCW) of Delta State University clinched a berth in the upcoming Gulf South Conference Tournament on Saturday with a 66-37 victory over Christian Brothers at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The berth marks the fourth consecutive berth under coach Sandra Rushing and the 22nd overall.
 
The Lady Statesmen will be looking to enhance their seeding this week with a pair of GSC games on the schedule. Delta State will host Southern Arkansas (8-15, 2-8 GSCW) on Thursday, Feb. 19 before traveling to rival Arkansas Tech (17-6, 7-3 GSCW) on Saturday, Feb. 21. With only four regular season games left on the schedule, every game is important in the GSC and regional standings. 

This week's games carry special significance. The Lady Statesmen could wrap-up the GSC West title with wins over both SAU and ATU, guaranteeing a No. 1 seed at the GSC Tournament in Southaven March 3-8 at the DeSoto Civic Center. 

In player news, Delta State University sophomore point guard Bug Cooper has been named the Gulf South Conference West Division Player of the Week for the period ending Monday, Feb. 16. Cooper is the second Lady Statesmen to earn the honor this year.

Cooper, a 5-foot-6 sophomore from Indianola, led the Lady Statesmen to a pair of GSC wins last week over Arkansas-Monticello (76-73 OT), and Christian Brothers (66-37). The victory over CBU Saturday guaranteed a spot for Delta State in the upcoming GSC Tournament March 3-8 at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven.

Against UAM, Cooper scored a career-high 22 points, while dishing out nine assists versus CBU at Walter Sillers Coliseum.

The lightning quick guard leads the NCAA in assists per game at 7.6. In 25 games, Cooper has handed out a career-high 190 assists. In just two years as the starting point guard, Cooper has handed out 320 career assists. 

Freshman sensation Veronica Walker continues to lead the GSC in field goal percentage.  The 6-foot-1 power forward is shooting 68.9 percent from the field, while averaging 11.3 points per game.  

Sophomore shooting guard Moe Bell also cracked the career top-10 for made three-pointers and three-pointers attempted.  The Madison native ranks third in the NCAA and leads the GSC in three-point field goal percentage.  She also averaging 10.4 points per game heading into this week's action.  

In rankings news, the Lady Statesmen held onto the No. 2 spot in the latest NCAA South Region rankings.