Complete Lady Statesmen Basketball GSC Tournament Notebook [PDF]

CLEVELAND – The No. 8 Lady Statesmen (23-2, 12-2/Co-GSC West Champions) of Delta State University begin their quest for a record fifth straight Gulf South Conference championship and the 16th overall in program history this week at the GSC Tournament, hosted by the City of Southaven at the Desoto Civic Center March 4-7.

GSC Tournament action begins Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. for the Lady Statesmen, who tied with Arkansas Tech for the West Division title, but lost a coin flip to determine seeding. As the West's No. 2 seed, the green-and-white will tangle with the East No. 3 West Alabama (8-19) to open tournament play. DSU played UWA earlier this year in Cleveland, claiming a 75-38 win over the Lady Tigers. The Lady Statesmen lead the all-time series 37-3.

Unlike any other team at this year's GSC Tournament, the Lady Statesmen have played every team at least once in the regular season. In the 10 games versus the rest of the field, Delta State is 9-1, including a perfect record against the teams from the GSC's East Division (4-0).

History is also on the side of the Lady Statesmen, as the green-and-white seek a Gulf South Conference record fifth straight league championship. On three occasions, the Lady Statesmen have won four-straight, but never five. With 15 conference titles in tow, Delta State owns more league crowns than the rest of the membership combined.

Sophomore center and GSC West Player of the Year Veronica Walker, who averages 20.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, and junior All-American and guard Sarita “Bug” Cooper, who leads the NCAA in assists per game (8.6), and will lead the charge for coach Sandra Rushing.

Every game at the 2010 GSC Tournament will be featured on the Statesmen Sports Network. Coverage begins 15 minutes prior to tip-off with the “SouthGroup Insurance Locker Room Report.” DSU fans can also follow the action on www.Facebook.com/dsustatesmen or www.Twitter.com/dsustatesmen.