Box Score CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University Women's Basketball team used suffocating defense Friday to defeat Tougaloo College 68-49 at Walter Sillers Coliseum.  The Lady Statesmen (6-3) held the Lady Bulldogs (7-8) to 32.6 percent shooting for the game while forcing 20 turnovers. 

The Lady Statesmen held the Lady Bulldogs to just 28 percent shooting in the first half en route to a 38-23 halftime lead.  DSU was led by Brooke Rhodes' 11 points, while Veronica Walker added 10 points and seven boards. 

Tougaloo's Victoria Jones and Erin Wells had seven points each.

The second half proved to be more of the same, as TC managed 36 percent shooting on 9-of-25 attempts.  DSU hit on 13-of-23 shots in the second half for 56.5 percent. 

DSU finished the game hitting 28-of-57 shots for 49.1 percent while outscoring TC in the paint 32-12 and 20-11 off turnovers.  The Lady Bulldogs connected on 15-of-46 shots for a mere 32.6 percent. 

The tandem of Walker and Rhodes proved lethal offensively, as the duo combined for 31 points and 14 rebounds.  Walker, a preseason National Player of the Year candidate, had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Rhodes added 15 points, three rebounds and two assists. 

Seneca Walton added 10 points and five rebounds off the bench with Rhandi Ball adding eight points, six boards and four assists as well.  Denesha Henderson added eight points while Brittany Roberts dropped in six points and dished out six assists. 

Three players for Tougaloo finished in double-figures led by Jones' 11 points.  Portia Craft and Brittany Patterson added 10 points each.     

The Lady Statesmen will open Gulf South Conference play on Thursday, Jan. 5 at Valdosta State University.  Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. CST at The Complex in Valdosta, Ga.  The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 4:45 p.m. J.T. Webb and Clayton Coffman will have the call.