RUSSELLVILLE, Ark.—The Delta State Lady Statesmen (28-3) gave the crowd a thriller in Saturday nights NCAA Division II Women's South Regional Semifinals as they defeated the Moccasins of Florida Southern (25-5) 72-67 in Tucker Coliseum.  The victory pushed the Lady Statesmen into the NCAA "Sweet 16" for a sixth straight year under head coach Sandra Rushing.  

With four minutes to play in the game, Florida Southern had a seven-point lead. It was at this point every team member, from the veteran Senior to the young freshman, decided to play with perfection.

Veronica Walker started the rally with two consecutive jumpers, bringing the Lady Statesmen within three points of the tie, 62-65, with 2:54 left to play.

At one of the most critical points of the game, freshman Brook Rhodes, who was left wide open at the top of the key, nailed a 3-pointer and tied the game at 65.

“Brook Rhodes is a tremendous player,” said head coach Sandra Rushing. “She is a fighter and she sparks the team, no question.”

From this point on, Sarita "Bug" Cooper took control, taking a 67-65 lead with a clutch shot. She then went to the opposite side of the court grabbed a rebound, drew a foul and made one of her two free throws.

In the end, it was one of the best defensive stops of the season—FSC only scored two points in the last four minutes— along with Rhodes and Cooper's, who combined to make five free throws, that lifted the green-and-white to victory.

“This is what we have talked about all year long,” said Rushing. “You could see the fight in their eyes and the will to win was there.”

In the first half, the Lady Statesmen pounded the basket, getting a nine-point lead at the 15:38 mark. But the little cushion DSU had made for themselves began to wear and Florida Southern took a two point lead, their first lead of the game, with 4:22 left to play in the half. However, the Lady Statesmen held the Moccasins to just two made three-point shots in the first period. Going into the half, the Mocs were up 33-31.

The Lady Statesmen had turned the ball over nine times in the first half, but they only turned it over two more times in the second half.

Veronica Walker had a stellar performance scoring a team-high 28 points. She also had six rebounds, one assist and two steals.

Bug Cooper had a tremendous all-around game. She finished the night with 18 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Moe Bell hit three three's against the FSC's defense. She ended the night with nine points, four assists and one rebound.

As a unit, the Lady Statesmen shot 43.9 percent from the field (25-57), 42.9 percent from the 3-point line (6-14) and 72.7 percent from the free throw line (16-22).

Florida Southern shot 48.1 percent from the field (26-54), 29.4 percent from the 3-point line (5-17) and 90.9 percent from the free throw line (10-11).

“I am so happy we get another chance to play,” said Rushing. “We have to prepare. Tech knows us and we know them, but we will be ready.”

The Lady Statesmen will face Arkansas Tech in an NCAA "Sweet 16" rematch on Monday. Broadcast starts at 6:30 p.m. on the Lady Statesmen Sports Networks with tip set for 7 p.m. at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville, Ark.  The Statesmen Insider Social Network will also have complete coverage with a live blog and in-game updates on Facebook and Twitter.