FLORENCE, Ala.-The No.2 Delta State University women's basketball team held the North Alabama Lions to 17 second half points in a 63-44 victory Monday at Flowers Hall.

The Lady Statesmen (5-0) trailed 11-4 in the opening stretches of the contest, and used solid defense to outscore the Lions 25-16 over the final 15 minutes of the half to take a 29-27 lead to the locker room at halftime.

Veronica Walker had 11 points in the first half for DSU, while Niala Harris helped UNA with 11 in the opening half as well.

The Lions (1-3) finished 10-of-30 in the first half from the floor, but only hit 2-of-11 three-pointers. DSU with a red-hot 50-percent percentage, going 13-of-26.

DSU used its patented defense in the second half, outscoring the Lions 14-4 during a four minute span in the middle of the half.

Following a Harris layup with 5:17 remaining, that cut the DSU lead to 51-43, the Lady Statesmen finished the contest with an 11-1 run.

Bug Cooper scored 14 second half points to finish with a team high 18 points, to go along with eight rebounds and four assists. 

Harris led all scorers with 19. Walker was held to only three second half points, finishing with 14, while Sheena Johnson finished with 10 for DSU.

The Lady Statesmen travel to Livingston, Ala., on Thursday, Dec. 2 to take on the University of West Alabama in a non-conference matchup.

UWA knocked off previously unbeaten and No.1 ranked Arkansas Tech, 85-73 on Nov. 27.

Tipoff is set for  5:30 p.m.