CLEVELAND - The Lady Statesmen (21-6, 11-1 GSCW) of Delta State University claimed their fourth-straight West Division crown and No. 1 seed at the upcoming Gulf South Conference Tournament on Saturday at Arkansas Tech University with a 73-60 victory at Tucker Coliseum. The victory was the 12th straight in the series and it allows coach Sandra Rushing a little breathing room headed into the final two games of the regular season this week with Harding (19-7, 5-7 GSCW) and Henderson State (10-14, 4-8 GSCW). 

The Lady Statesmen will be looking to enhance their seeding against the Lady Bisons and Lady Reddies, both teams DSU beat earlier in the year. DSU will host Harding on Thursday, Feb. 26 for “GreenOut Senior Night.” Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Sillers Coliseum. The Lady Statesmen will then close the regular season at Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Ark., on Saturday at 3 p.m. inside the Duke Wells Center. Both games will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting 15 minutes prior to tip-off.  J.T. Webb and Troy Treasure will have the call.   

The Lady Statesmen took over the top spot in the latest NCAA South Region Poll, as released on Wednesday.  DSU is currently 21-6 overall and looking at the possibility of hosting the NCAA South Region Tournament for a second consecutive year.  

In player news, sophomore guard Moe Bell cracked the Delta State career records chart for three-pointers made and attempted.  The Madison native has connected on 114-of-248 three-point attempts in her two seasons for the Lady Statesmen.  Bell's 114 made threes rank seventh, while her 248 attempts are eighth.  

Sophomore point guard Bug Cooper is also approaching the Gulf South Conference single season records for assists and assists per game.  The Indianola native needs 33 assists to break the single season mark for assists held by former Lady Statesman Felicia Wright, who tallied 248 during the 1995-1996 season.  Cooper's 8.00 assists per game average is just 0.15 off the record held by former Lincoln Memorial star Isabel Gonzalez (8.15 apg). 

DSU will also recognize four seniors on Thursday during the Harding game.  Coach Sandra Rushing, her staff, and the University will congratulate LaMaesha McAdory, Kirsten McBride, Renita Jones, and Courtney Wilson for their efforts on the court.  The ceremony will take place immediately before the start of Thursday's game.