CLEVELAND – Veronica Walker scored 19 points and Moe Bell chipped in with 16 points to lead the top-ranked Delta State University women's basketball to its 53rd consecutive home win 60-45 over Valdosta State University Tuesday evening at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The Lady Statesmen improved to 9-0 on the year, while the Lady Blazers slipped to 4-4.

“Great win for our club tonight,” stated Lady Statesmen head coach Sandra Rushing. “We played hard on the defensive end for the most part and took advantage of our chances on the offensive end. Veronica
Walker and Moe Bell played well and Sheena Johnson really got after their guards on defense.”

Using their trademarked Delta defense, the Lady Statesmen never trailed in the game, leading by as many as 19 points with 2:24 remaining in the game. DSU held the Lady Blazers to 39.6 percent from the field on 19-of-48 shots, while connecting on 20-of-49 for 40.8 percent.

The Lady Statesmen were able to put the game away at the free throw line, connecting on 16-of-18 attempts.

Walker hit on 5-of-12 shots from the floor and 9-of-9 from the line to lead DSU with 19. She also added nine rebounds, breaking a streak of three straight double-doubles at home.

Bell was 4-of-7 from 3-point range and 2-of-2 from the line for 16 points. Johnson added 11 points, while Sarita “Bug” Cooper dished out a game-high 12 assists.

Brittany Ferguson led all scorers and the Lady Blazers with 21. Amanda Haven and Sczeny Hartry added 10 points each for VSU.

Delta State will travel to Jackson, Miss., on Friday, Dec. 17 to take on the Lady Bulldogs of Tougaloo College. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at the HPER Center.