RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - It's a rivalry that has produced legendary finishes, championship results and occasionally broken hearts. Delta State facing Arkansas Tech is the way its supposed to be and Tuesday night the two teams will battle for the NCAA South Region title at Tucker Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
Coach Sandra Rushing and the Lady Statesmen will be making their fifth-straight NCAA South Region Tournament Championship game appearance on Tuesday, after Delta State defeated Valdosta State 67-56 in the semifinals on Sunday at Tucker Coliseum. It was DSU's sixth consecutive postseason win over VSU for Delta State.
The victory extends DSU's Gulf South Conference record for NCAA South Region Championship game appearances to 17. A complete list of NCAA South Region Championship game appearances is below. Victories are in bold.
YEAR OPPONENT/RESULTS
1985-86 Florida International/W, 93-64
1986-87 Pittsburgh-Johnstown/L, 68-63
1987-88 Jacksonville State/W, 64-54
1988-89 Jacksonville State/W, 64-48
1989-90 Jacksonville State/W, 96-56
1990-91 Jacksonville State/L, 67-71
1991-92 West Georgia/W, 73-53
1992-93 Florida Tech/W, 75-51
1995-96 Florida Southern/W, 96-78
1996-97 Fort Valley State/W, 81-58
1999-2000 Rollins/W, 74-44
2000-2001 Barry/W, 86-82
2005-2006 Henderson State/L, 40-44
2006-2007 Florida Gulf Coast/L, 44-57
2007-2008 Valdosta State/W, 62-44
2008-2009 Ouachita Baptist/W, 50-49
2009-2010 Arkansas Tech/?
DELTA STATE BOASTS NCAA RECORD FOR POSTSEASON VICTORIES
The Lady Statesmen have appeared in 22 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournaments all-time, posting 52 wins and 19 losses. The 52 victories rank No. 1 all-time ahead of California-Poly Pomona (49) and former NCAA DII member North Dakota State (47).
NCAA TOURNAMENT BY THE NUMBERS - DELTA STATE LADY STATESMEN
Tournament Appearances: 22
Tournament Record: 52-19 (.732)
Elite Eight Appearances: 13
Final Four Appearances: 4
National Championships: 3 (1988-89 • 1989-90 • 1991-92)
NCAA Tournament Record under Sandra Rushing: 14-5 (.737)
Highest Finish under Sandra Rushing: Final Four (2007-08 • 2008-09)
DELTA STATE vs. ARKANSAS TECH IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
While the Lady Statesmen and Golden Suns have met 43 times previously in series history, only twice have the occasions come during the NCAA Tournament. In 2000-2001, Delta State defeated Arkansas Tech 67-62 in the First Round of the NCAA South Regional, and in 2006-07, the Lady Statesmen edged the Golden Suns 43-40 in the South Region Semifinals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. DSU holds a 27-16 lead in the all-time series standings. The two teams have met three times previously this season with ATU holding a 2-1 lead.
1,797 WINS SAYS IT ALL...
Two of NCAA Division II basketball's great programs and the Gulf South Conference's fiercest rivalry squares off yet again with high stakes on the line Tuesday at Tucker Coliseum. With 979 all-time wins, the Lady Statesmen of Delta State University rank No. 1 in victories by an NCAA Division II school. The Golden Suns of Arkansas Tech are not far behind, ranking third with 818.
WHO'S NEXT?
The winner of tonight's showdown will face the Ravens of Franklin Pierce (30-1), who defeated Holy Family 82-79 in overtime, in the NCAA Elite Eight on Tuesday, March 23 in St. Joseph's, Mo. Game time has not been announced. The NCAA Elite Eight is being hosted by Missouri Western State University.
