GAME NOTES: No. 1 Lady Statesmen vs. West Alabama/West Georgia
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CLEVELAND - The No. 1 Lady Statesmen (5-0, 0-0 GSC) of Delta State University will put their undeafted record on the line this week with a pair of games against Gulf South Conference teams in non-conference action. DSU will travel to West Alabama (4-0) on Thursday, Dec. 2 before hosting West Georgia (1-5) on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Two of the GSC's founding school's will face off for the 42nd time in series history, as DSU travels to UWA on Thursday. The Lady Statesmen lead the all-time series 38-3, including an 85-57 win in the first round of last season's GSC Tournament.

The Lady Statesmen will put their 50-game home win streak on the line on Saturday versus the Wolves of West Georgia. Delta State leads the all-time series 27-3, including last season's 62-43 win at UWG on Dec. 3, 2009. 

Coach Sandra Rushing and the Lady Statesmen entered the season ranked No. 2 in the nation. It was the highest ranking entering a season for DSU in the Rushing Era. The Lady Statesmen opened the 2008-09 campaign No. 4 after going 33-1 in 2007-08. The ranking is due in part to Delta State returning four starters and six letter winners off of last season's 27-4 team.

Senior point guard Sarita “Bug” Cooper has led the NCAA in assists each of the last two seasons and she has picked up right where she left off last year. Through five games, Cooper has dished out 30 assists and has topped the 700-assists plateau in her career. Her 714 assists rank No. 1 all-time in Gulf South Conference history and the Indianola native needs just 136 points to top the 1,000 point plateau.

Veronica Walker, a 6-foot-1 junior, looks to repeat as the GSC's West Division Player of the Year after averaging a league leading 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Walker is averaging 16.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game thus far.

Through five games, coach Sandra Rushing has played with five different starting line-ups, including six newcomers seeing their first action in the green-and-white.

DSU is holding the opposition to 43.8 points and 29.9 percent from the field through the first five games of the year.

LADY STATESMEN ON VERGE OF 1,000 VICTORIES
What began with the “Rabbitt's Foot” team of 1927 has continued to fule the drive for excellence in Lady Statesmen basketball for over 80 years.  From the playing days of Margaret Wade to her patrolling the sideline for Delta State, a tradition of winning and a committment to succeed can be found in every corner of Walter Sillers Coliseum.  With 985 victories in the storied program's history, the green-and-white stands on the verge of becoming the first Division II women's basketball team with 1,000 wins all-time. 

One look at the many banners hanging inside Walter Sillers Coliseum, and anyone can see that Delta State University women's basketball has developed into one of the nation's elite programs over the years.  In fact, since the program's inception, the Lady Statesmen boast more victories than any other program in the history of NCAA Division II basketball with 985.   Over the years, the Lady Statesmen have accumulated a 985-241-3 record with six national championships, and 15 Gulf South Conference titles.   No other program in NCAA DII history is a member of the 900 victory club.  Bentley College is the closest with 842 wins followed by Arkansas Tech University (817), California Poly-Pomona (813) and Central Missouri State (790).  

ALL- TIME NCAA DIVISION-II WINS • (AS OF 11.15.10)
UNIVERSITY (2010-11 RECORD)
985    Delta State (5-0)
845    Bentley [MA] (3-1)
822    Arkansas Tech (5-1)
813    Cal Poly Pomona (1-1)
793    Central Missouri (4-2)
774    Northern Kentucky (4-2)
770    Stonehill [MA](5-2)
764    Northern State [SD] (3-1)
763    East Stroudsburg [PA] (1-1)

DELTA STATE NATION'S NEW NO. 1
After jumping out to a 5-0 start, the Lady Statesmen took over No. 1 in the latest WBCA Division II Top 25 Poll after former No. 1 Arkansas Tech fell to West Alabama last weekend. 

It's the first No. 1 ranking for DSU since the 2007-08 season, a year that saw DSU finish the regular season 33-0. 

LADY STATESMEN BATTLES GSC EAST FOES
As the second week of the GSC Crossover schedule begins, the No. 2 Lady Statesmen (5-0) will face two GSC East Division foes this week, as DSU travels to undefeated West Alabama (4-0) on Thursday, Dec. 2 before playing host to West Georgia (1-5) on Saturday, Dec. 4. 

DELTA STATE DOWNS NORTH ALABAMA TO BEGIN CROSSOVER
The Lady Statesmen used a tremendous second-half defensive effort to defeat North Alabama 63-44 to open GSC Crossover play on Monday, Nov. 29.  Sarita “Bug” Cooper topped all DSU scorers with 18 points, while grabbing eight rebounds and handing out four assists.  Veronica Walker added 14 points and eight rebounds. 

LADY STATESMEN GRAB 50th CONSECUTIVE HOME WIN
After the Lady Statesmen dispatched the Lady Bulldogs of Tougaloo College 86-42 to run their home win-streak to 50 games, DSU will put the streak on the line against West Georgia on Saturday. 

The Lady Statesmen are nine wins away from establishing a new record for consecutive home wins.  DSU's 58-game win streak started with a 78-58 win over Auburn University on March 9, 1974 and ended with a 73-72 loss to Ole Miss on Feb. 25, 1978. 

RETURN OF THE “D”
Coach Sandra Rushing promised a return to Delta State defense this year and through the first five games of the season it looks like her preseason predicition is holding firm.  The Lady Statesmen are allowing just 43.8 points per game and have held the opposition to just 29.9 percent from the field.  DSU is also forcing 19.8 turnovers per game and out-rebounding the opposition 39.6-32.0. 

COOPER TOPS 700 ASSISTS
Sarita “Bug” Cooper already holds the career GSC assists record, but the senior point guard and two-time All-American became the first player in Gulf South Conference history to top the 700 assists plateau.  With three assists versus Tougaloo, Cooper climbed past 700 to 702.  Since that performance, Cooper has added 12 assists to push her career total to 714. 

WALKER CLIMBING THE SCORING CHARTS
Junior All-American power forward Veronica Walker continued her assault on the DSU record books this week, climbing to No. 26 on the career scoring charts with 1,153 points.  With 81 points on the year, Walker is averaging 16.2 ppg and needs just 43 points to climb into the top 25 all-time at Delta State.   

DOUBLE TROUBLE
The Lady Statesmen have turned in three double-doubles in their first five games this season.  Junior Veronica Walker leads DSU with two, while freshman guard Brooke Rhodes has one.

PLAYER-OPPONENT-STATS
Brooke Rhodes    Tougaloo (11.22)    18 pts/10 reb
Veronica Walker    Tougaloo (11.22)    17 pts/10 reb
Veronica Walker    Ala.-Huntsviile (11.27)    16 pts/14 reb

SURPRISE, SURPRISE
In her first two games, both exhibitions against SEC teams, freshman power forward Aubree Ray served notice that good things could be in store this season for the former Hernando High School star.  Since the regular season began, Ray has become a major part of coach Sandra Rushing's plan for the Lady Statesmen this season. 

Through five games, Ray is averaging 3.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, while ranking second on the team with eight blocked shots this season.  Ray scored a career-high 10 points in DSU's 68-35 win over Lincoln Memorial and grabbed a career-high seven boards against UNA on Nov. 29. 

JOHNSON DELIVERS FROM THE JUMP
Sheena Johnson, a 5-foot-8 senior transfer from Wichita State University, has made an immediate impact on the Lady Statesmen.  The Clinton native has started all five games at guard for coach Sandra Rushing and the Lady Statesmen, averaging 10.2 points and grabbing 1.6 rebounds. 

Johnson scored a season-high 14 points in Delta State's 76-46 season-opening win over Carson Newman College.  She also scored 10 points in DSU's 68-35 win over Lincoln Memorial and 10 points in the 63-44 road win at North Alabama on Monday, Nov. 29 at Flowers Hall in Florence, Ala.

RHODES ENJOYING FRESHMAN SUCCESS
Brooke Rhodes, a former two-time Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Player of the Year, is enjoying a high level of success as a true freshman.  Through five games, the 5-foot-8 Pelahatchie native is averaging 7.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. 

She turned in her first career double-double, which also happened to be her career highs, with 18 points and 10 rebounds in DSU's 86-42 win over Tougaloo on Nov. 22 at Sillers Coliseum. 

REED APPROACHING RARE AIR
Senior guard Tamara Reed is making the most of her playing time this year, averaging 15.3 minutes per game and 4.8 points.  Her outside shooting has been deadly, connecting on 50 percent of her three-point attempts (5-of-10). 

The Bay St. Louis native is shooting 58.3 percent from the field as well, nailing 7-of-12 shots. 

BELL BREAKS 3-POINT ATTEMPTS RECORD
Senior shooting guard Moe Bell has added another record to her list of accomplishments at Delta State - career 3-point attempts.  With 21 attempts from deep, the Madison native has climbed past Tanya Redmond's former mark of 509 with 527. 

Bell has already toppled the Delta State record for career three pointers made, career three-point field goal percentage, three pointers in a game and three pointers made in a season. 

In three-plus seasons, the Madison native has 225 career three pointers on just 506 attempts.  Her 42.9 career three point percentage ranks second all-time in Gulf South Conference history behind Beck Mauck's  (UNA) 45.7 percent.  Bell's 217 three's also rank seventh all-time.

WALKER AND COOPER TABBED PRESEASON ALL-GSC
Sarita Cooper and Veronica Walker were named to the Preseason All-GSC West Team. Cooper, last season averaged 10.5 points, 4.7 boards and led NCAA Division II for the second straight season with 8.5 assists per game.  

Walker averaged a conference best 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game during the 2009-2010 campaign. Walker also led NCAA Division II in field goal percentage at 63.7 percent.   

The duo also appeared on several preseason All-American lists and are likely candidates for National Player of the Year.

RUSHING FOCUSED ON DELIVERING TITLE TO CLEVELAND
In the last six years, coach Sandra Rushing has guided the Lady Statesmen to a 153-19 (.886) record, four Gulf South Conference championships, two NCAA South Region titles, five-straight NCAA Sweet 16 finishes and back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances, but it's still not enough. 

Rushing came to Delta State to do one thing, win a national championship.  This year's goal is the same as the last five and the Biloxi native and former Alabama standout will take nothing less. 

LAST SIX UNDER RUSHING
YEAR        RECORD/SEASON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2010-2011    5-0      WBCA No. 1 ranking
2009-2010    27-4    NCAA Sweet 16 finish
2008-2009    30-7    GSC champions/NCAA Final Four
2007-2008    33-1    GSC champions/NCAA Final Four
2006-2007    28-4    GSC champions/NCAA Sweet 16
2005-2006    30-3    GSC champions/NCAA Sweet 16
TOTALS        153-19    Four GSC titles/Five NCAA trips

COOPER LOOKING TO CAP CAREER WITH 1,000 ASSISTS
Sarita “Bug” Cooper ranks as one of the all-time great point guards in the history of the Gulf South Conference and Division II basketball.  In just three seasons, the Indianola native smashed the GSC career record for assists, a record that took four years to build. 

She has led the NCAA in assists the past two seasons and with 714 career assists has her sights set on 1,000 for her career.  Don't doubt the 5-foot-6 speedster, she totaled 288 during her sophomore season and a deep run into the NCAA playoffs could propel her past that mark.

WALKER AND COOPER CANDIDATES FOR WBCA NATIONAL POY
It's rare for one team to feature two players with the ability to earn the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's National Player of the Year Award, but the Lady Statesmen feature just that in point guard Sarita “Bug” Cooper and power forward Veronica Walker.  Walker enters the season as one of the nation's top returning scorers, while Cooper has led the NCAA in assists each of the last two years.  Both were named Honorable Mention All-Americans by the WBCA last season, while earning All-American spots on Daktronic's and Division II Bulletin's postseason lists. 

WALKER'S BLOCK PARTY
Junior power forward Veronica Walker is not just a scoring machine.  She's also a game changer in the paint with her ability to block shots.  Last season, the 6-foot-1 Indianola native blocked 74 shots, narrowly missing he single season record.  Through five games, Walker has blocked 10 shots this season to push her career total to 138 in two-plus seasons.   

DEFENSE NAME OF THE GAME FOR LADY STATESMEN
DSU has historically been a dominant defensive basketball team and coach Sandra Rushing has hung her hat on the ability to stop the opposition.  If you look back over Delta State's four-straight Gulf South Conference championship seasons, the Lady Statesmen finished first in the conference in scoring and field goal percentage defense, while finishing no lower than fourth in the NCAA in scoring defense. 

Despite winning 27 games and advaning to the NCAA South Region Championship game, the Lady Statesmen got away from “Delta Defense” last season.  DSU ranked 12th in scoring defense after ranking no lower than fourth in the previous four seasons.   

This season, coach Rushing and her staff have made a commitment to returning the team to the tops of the defensive charts in the GSC and NCAA. 

RUSHING'S SCORING DEFENSE RECORD
YEAR    NCAA RANK/SCORING DEFENSE
2009-10    12th    54.9
2008-09    4th    52.0
2007-08    3rd    51.6
2006-07    3rd    49.2
2005-06    3rd    46.8
2004-05    17th    56.1
2003-04    4th    53.1
2002-03    NR    64.8

RUSSELL GIVES LADY STATESMEN SPECIAL WEAPON AT SF
Senior small forward Shameka Russell posesses a special set of skills for a player of her size and speed.  At 6-foot-2, the Southeasterm Louisiana transfer can dominate the paint or step outside the arch and knockdown the 20-footer. 

THEY DON'T GO AWAY EASILY
Delta State opponents cannot rely on forcing a Lady Statesmen to foul out of a game too often. Through DSU's last two seasons, only six Lady Statesmen have registered a foul out. 

COMPLETE SCHEDULE
It's not always easy to schedule games when you have Delta State written across the front of your jersey in Division II.  For the first time in five seasons, coach Sandra Rushing and the Lady Statesmen will play a full contingent of games. 

HENDERSON RETURNS AFTER SHOULDER SURGERY
Denesha Henderson knows a thing or two about getting up after getting knocked down.  The Guy, Ark., native and former barrell racing champion, played all of last season with a bad shoulder.  This past summer, the 5-foot-7 speedster underwent surgery on the shoulder and with hard work has returned to the Lady Statesmen rotation at 100 percent.  Her ability to defend the opposition's top scoring threat will be needed this season.

REED WANTS THIRD RING IN FINAL SEASON AT DSU
Senior guard and defensive specialist Tamara Reed is looking for a third GSC championship ring this season.  The Bay St. Louis native was a key cog in the Lady Statesmen's title runs in 2007-08 and 2008-09. 

DELTA STATE WELCOME LADY SHOCKERS TRANSFER
Sheena Johnson is one of two NCAA Division I transfers for the Lady Statesmen this season.  The 5-foot-6 senior from Clinton played one season for Jody Adams at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kan.

Johnson started 31 games at guard for the Lady Shockers and appeared in 32 total last season.  She averaged 8.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 28.1 minutes per game on the court.  Her numbers increased to 9.7 points per game in conference play, while averaging 2.4 assists per game. 

Johnson scored a career-high 22 points versus Drake in a 66-63 overtime win on Feb. 5, 2010.  She turned in a double-double with 21 points and 11 boards in an 83-78 loss at Evansville (1/28/10).

Prior to joining Wichita State, Johnson played two seasons at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, where she averaged 9.3 points a team-leading 6.3 assists per game as a sophomore.  

LADY STATESMEN ADD BROWN FROM ARKANSAS STATE
Jessica Brown, one of the top scorers in Memphis, Tenn., high school basketball history, joined the Lady Statesmen this summer after transferring from Arkansas State. 

 As a true freshman last season in Jonesboro, Ark., Brown played in three games at Arkansas State for coach Brian Boyer.  She averaged 1.3 points and 0.3 rebounds on a team with experienced front court performers.

She was a four-year starter at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, where she finished her career with over 1,600 points and 1,000 rebounds.

POWE AND LACK BRING NEEDED DEPTH FROM JUCO RANKS
Junior college transfers Amber Powe and Jamie Lack have brought much needed depth to the Lady Statesmen.  Powe, a 5-foot-8 guard, began her career at Central Florida Community College, while Lack, a 6-foot-3 center, played two seasons at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Ala. 

Powe played two seasons for the College of Central Florida, where she played guard for the Patriots.  She was named to the All-Mid Florida Conference Team after averaging 9.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.  Also a standout off the court, Powe garnered Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll and the 2009-2010 Mid Florida Conference Scholar-Athlete Award. 

In 21 games, Lack scored 194 points for a 9.3 points per game average at WSHCC.  She connected on 44 percent (74-of-168) of her shots from the field, and pulled down 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.  She finished the 2009-2010 season ranked third in the ACCC blocks per game and total blocks.

LADY STATESMEN FRESHMAN CLASS FULL OF FUTURE STARS
With four true freshmen on the roster, the Lady Statesmen have the talent to continue this run for many years to come.  DSU welcomes guards Cedrica (C.J.) Cooper and Brooke Rhodes, and forwards Suzette Suggs and Aubree Ray to the squad this season. 

Cooper is a former starter at Amanda Elzy High School in Greenwood, where she helped direct the AEHS from her point guard spot. 

Ray lettered in basketball, track and volleyball at Hernando High School, where she played on the hardwood for Lana O'Bryant.  The 6-foot-1 forward scored over 1,240 points in her four year career at Hernando High School and was named to the MHSAA Class 5A All-Region 2 District Team.  As a senior, she averaged 17.6 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per game.

Rhodes played at East Rankin Academy for Michael McAnally, where she was named the 2008-2009 MPSA State Player of the Year and 2009-2010 MAIS (formerly MPSA) State Player of the Year.  As a senior, Rhodes averaged 21.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game and was named to The Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen Team.

Suggs lettered in basketball, softball and track and field at Coffeeville High School.  As a senior on the hardwood, Suggs averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds per game, while playing for former Lady Statesman Bernadette Sayles.  The 5-foot-10 forward was one of the top track stars in Mississippi over the last four seasons. 

DSU TIED TO BEGINS OF WOMEN'S COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL
In the early 1970's, the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women began a push to make women's basketball accessible to college and universities across the country.  Delta State was one of the first to make it a priority. 

Under Naismith Hall of Famer Margaret Wade, the Lady Statesmen enjoyed unprecedented success from 1974-75 to 1976-77, claiming three straight AIAW National Championships.  During her tenure as head coach, the Lady Statesmen went 157-23, including 93-4 during their national championship seasons.

After moving to NCAA Division II in 1986, the Lady Statesmen have continued to be one of the game's most successful programs.  DSU claimed NCAA DII national championships in 1988-89, 1989-90 and 1991-92. 

The Lady Statesmen also boast the most wins by an NCAA DII member institution with 980 (980-241-3).

“FAB FIVE” THE FIRST OF MANY AT DSU
Coach Margaret Wade built a dynasty at Delta State around a group of players, known simply as the “Fab Five.”  Lusia Harris-Stewart (C), Debbie Brock (PG), Cornelia Ward (F), Wanda Hairston (F) and Ramona Von Boeckman (F) became the first and potentially only starting five named All-American in the same year.  All five DSU starters were named to the Hanes 1976-77 All-American Team following a 32-3 season and their third-straight AIAW national championship. 

BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME HOME TO TWO LADY STATESMEN
Delta State is the only university in Mississippi and the Gulf South Conference to boast two inductees into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame - Lily Margaret Wade (1986) and Lusia Harris-Stewart (1992).

Wade became the first female inductee in 1986 after a storied career as a collegiate and high school coach.  Her career record stands at 610-112 in 19 seasons at Cleveland High and six seasons at DSU. 

Harris-Stewart simply changed the game when arrived on the scene in 1975.  The 6-foot-3 center still stands as one of the game's all-time greats.  In four years at DSU, she scored 2,981 career points (25.9 ppg), grabbed 1,662 rebounds (14.4 rpg), and graduated with fifteen of eighteen DSU team, single game and career records. 

Harris-Stewart led DSU to a 109-6 record and three straight AIAW National Championships. Harris-Stewart was a member of the first-ever women's silver medal Olympic team in 1976, and held the distinction of being the team's leading scorer and leading rebounder.

2,000 POINTS - 1,000 REBOUNDS
The Lady Statesmen boast three players in the 2,000 point/1,000 rebound Club.  Lusia Harris-Stewart (1974-77) headlines the club, as DSU's all-time leading scorer (2,981) and rebounder (1,662).  Deborah Temple (1982-84) joined the club following the 1984 season with 2,225 points and 1,047 rebounds.  LaTanya Patty (1990-93) became the last member of the club in 1993, finishing her career with 2,106 points and 1,061 rebounds. 

LEGENDS COACH HERE
Very few coaches have had the impact on their respective universities like Margaret Wade and Lloyd Clark. The two coaches combined to win 651 games and six National Championships while prowling the sidelines at Delta State. Wade is often referred to as “the Mother of modern women's college basketball,” while Clark's teams were widely known for their defensive prowess and athleticism.

Wade coached the Lady Statesmen to three straight AIAW National Championships, and players under her direction remain on top of the DSU record books. Coach Wade had such an impact, that in 1978, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association named their Player of the Year award after coach Margaret Wade, The Wade Trophy.

 Coach Wade had an unheard of record of 109-6 during her first four years at the helm of DSU Women's Basketball. In 1986, Wade became the first woman to be inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

During his 19 years as head coach, Lloyd Clark became one of the greatest coaches in women's basketball history. Clark compiled an amazing 494-98 record from 1983-2002. His teams won three NCAA DII National Championships, including back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990.

Clark's teams reached the NCAA Tournament in 16 of his 19 seasons, and advanced to the Elite Eight 11 times. Clark was named Gulf South Conference Coach of the year five times. In 2006, Clark was inducted into the MS Sports Hall of Fame.