GAME NOTES: Lady Statesmen Basketball at West Georgia/West Alabama (2.9-11.12)
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CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Lady Statesmen (15-4, 8-1 GSC) of Delta State University look to add to their nine-game win streak this week traveling to Carrolton, Ga. to take on the University of West Georgia (8-12, 3-6 GSC) on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 4:30 p.m. and Livingston, Ala. to take on the University of West Alabama Tigers (7-13, 2-7 GSC) on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 4 p.m. 

West Georgia and Delta State will be meeting for the 33rd time with the Lady Statesmen holding a dominating 29-3 record over the Wolves. The last time the two teams met the green and white ran away with a 60-48 win over UWG. Veronica Walker posted a solid double-double performance with 22 points and 13 rebounds. 

Delta State will be facing off against West Alabama inside Pruitt Hall for the 45th time on Saturday. The Lady Statesmen have a commanding 41-3 record over the Tigers. The last time the two teams faced off Delta State dominated with a 64-44 win over the Tigers inside Sillers Coliseum. 

DSU is hitting the road again after a two game home stretch this past week claiming victories over Valdosta State (2.2) 56-52 and West Florida (2.4) 67-55. The Lady Statesmen are 8-1 in GSC play which is good for a first-place tie alongside Alabama-Huntsville.

Veronica Walker (2,026 points/1,007 rebounds) became only the 4th Lady Statesman to score 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds in a career. Her 18-point scoring effort against Valdosta State (2.2) and her eight rebound performance again West Florida (2.4) put her in the illustrious club that features former Lady Statesmen such as: Lusia Harris (1974-77), Deborah Temple (1982-84), and LaTanya Patty (1990-93).

Bench players for the Lady Statesmen have been playing a key role in the winning efforts this season. Rhandi Ball leads the team off the bench averaging 6.0 points per contest and her 35 assists is good for second on the team. Seneca Walton is shooting .500 from the floor this year connecting on 33-of-66 of her shots while Ann Shelby Davis has been averaging 16.1 minutes of playing time per game providing coach Rushing with fresh legs for the Lady Statesmen's suffocating defense.

Coach Sandra Rushing and the Lady Statesmen are once again setting the standard for defense in the Gulf South Conference, allowing a league-low 51.5 points per game and 35.7 field goal percentage defense. DSU has allowed an opponent over 60 points just four times, including a season-high of 74 in a 92-win against Alabama Huntsville. In fact, opponents have been held below at or below 50 points 13 times, including 10 out of their last 13 games for the Lady Statesmen.

After guiding the Lady Statesmen to a 247-55 record over the last 11 seasons, Biloxi, Miss., native Sandra Rushing is approaching 400 career wins.  In her 22-year career, Rushing is 396-251 (.638) with four Gulf South Conference titles, seven NCAA DII Tournament appearances, two NCAA Final Fours and six-straight “Sweet 16” finishes.

One of the nation's most successful women's programs, Delta State holds Gulf South Conference records for GSC titles (15),  NCAA postseason appearances (24), victories (52), Elite Eight appearances (13), Final Four berths (9) and NCAA/AIAW National Championships (6).  The Lady Statesmen's 54 NCAA Tournament wins are also a Division II record.

UP NEXT
DSU ends its three-game road swing at the University of Alabama-Huntsville (2.16.12/5:30 p.m.) before return to Sillers Coliseum for PinkOut Sillers Night versus the University of North Alabama (2.18.12/4 p.m.).  

WALKER JOINS ELITE 2,000 POINTS/1,000 REBOUNDS CLUB
Veronica Walker (2,026 points/1,007 rebounds) became only the 4th Lady Statesman to be inducted into 2,000 point and 1,000 rebound club. Her 18 point scoring effort against Valdosta State (2.2) and her eight rebound performance again West Florida (2.4) put her in the illustrious club that features former Lady Statesmen such as: Lusia Harris (1974-77), Deborah Temple (1982-84), and LaTanya Patty (1990-93).

DEFENSE NAME OF THE GAME FOR LADY STATESMEN
Coach Sandra Rushing and the Lady Statesmen are once again setting the standard for defense in the Gulf South Conference, allowing a league-low 51.5 points per game and 35.7 field goal percentage defense. DSU has allowed an opponent over 60 points just four times, including a season-high of 74 in a 92-win against Alabama Huntsville. In fact, opponents have been held below at or below 50 points 13 times, including 10 out of their last 13 games by the Lady Statesmen.

WALKER PUTTING UP PLAYER OF THE YEAR NUMBERS
Senior power forward and WBCA National Player of the Year candidate Veronica Walker continues to set the standard in the GSC. The two-time All American is averaging a Gulf South Conference leading 19 points and 9.1 rebounds per game to lead the Lady Statesmen. In 19 games, the Indianola, Miss., native has turned in eight double doubles with a career-high 35 points coming versus Lincoln Memorial and a season-high 14 boards versus Alabama Huntsville (1.19).  In her four-year career, Walker ranks fourth all-time in career scoring at Delta State with 2,026 points and sixth in GSC history.

RHODES STEPPING OUT OF THE SHADOWS
After playing the role of the sharpshooter off the bench last season, Brooke Rhodes has stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight this season for the Lady Statesmen. Through 19 games, Rhodes ranks second on the team in scoring (13.5) and third in rebounding (4.2).The Pelahatchie, Miss., native has scored in double figures in all but two games this season with a career-high 26 points coming versus Lincoln Memorial at the Carson Newman Lady Eagles Classic. She also chipped in 22 points versus Florida Southern in the second game of the Lloyd Clark Classic.

RUSHING NEARING 400-WIN PLATEAU
After guiding the Lady Statesmen to a 247-55 record over the last 11 seasons, Biloxi, Miss., native Sandra Rushing is approaching 400 career wins.  In her 22-year career, Rushing is 396-251 (.638) with four Gulf South Conference titles, seven NCAA DII Tournament appearances, two NCAA Final Fours and six-straight “Sweet 16” finishes.

HENDERSON ON FIRE FOR LADY STATESMEN
Senior guard Denesha Henderson is continues on her career-best pace with a 7.1 points per game scoring average. The Guy, Ark., native has never averaged more than 2.8 points per game, but this season is quite different. Using a spot-on mid-range jumper, Henderson has connected on 44-of-108 shots from the field (40.4%), while clearing 3.8 boards per game. Henderson scored a career-high 28 points against conference foe Alabama Huntsville (1.19) and recorded her first double-double of her career with an 11 point/10 rebound performance against Christian Brothers (1.28).

BLOCKS, STEALS, ASSISTS….OH MY
The University of West Georgia Wolves rank second in the blocked shots (3.5) and steals (10) categories in the Gulf South Conference while averaging 9.2 assists per game as a team.

FROM DOWNTOWN
Krystal Delph is 31-of-78 (39.7%) from behind the arc this season which is good for second in the GSC. Delph's 31 made three-point shots also ranks fifth in the conference while teammate Mone Peoples ranks sixth with 29 on the year.

“WEATHER”ING THE STORM
Junior West Alabama forward Brittany Weathers ranks sixth in the GSC averaging 13.5 points per game is tied for first with Veronica Walker in rebounding average with 9.1. Weathers does most of her glass cleaning work on the offensive end averaging 3.9 offensive rebounds which is good for first in the conference.

LADY STATESMEN-WOLVES TAKE TWO
The Lady Statesmen and Wolves will be meeting for the 33rd time in series history on Thursday at The Coliseum on the University of West Georgia campus in Carrollton, Ga.  DSU claimed a 60-46 win in the first meeting back on Jan. 12 at Walter Sillers Coliseum.  The green-and-white lead the all-time series 29-3. 

THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE OF WEST ALABAMA
Pruitt Hall, home of the University of West Alabama Tigers and Lady Tigers, has traditionally been one of the toughest arenas in the Gulf South Conference over the years.  Saturday's game in Livingston, Ala., will be no different, as Delta State and West Alabama tangle for the 45th time in series history.  The two founding members of the GSC have been featured in some of the greatest games in league history, but DSU has dominated the outcomes, holding a 41-3 edge in the series standings. 

A “DISH” BEST SERVED…
The University of West Alabama Tigers hold three of the Gulf South Conferences top 10 spots in the assist category thanks in part to Kottia White (2.1), Danielle Cole (2.1), and Keiara Middleton (2.0). The Tigers as a team have 204 assists on the season and are + 0.6 in the assist-to-turnover ratio column.

OFF THE BENCH
Bench players for the Lady Statesmen have been playing a key role in the winning efforts this season. Rhandi Ball lead the team off the bench averaging 6.0 points per contest and her 35 assists is good for second on the team. Seneca Walton is shooting .500 from the floor this year connecting on 33-of-66 of her shots while Ann Shelby Davis has been averaging 16.1 minutes of playing time per game providing coach Rushing with fresh legs for the Lady Statesmen's suffocating defense.

SHOOTING FOUL
The Lady Statesmen are .705 from the free-throw line so far this year thanks in part to Brooke Rhodes' conference best 83.1%. Denesha Henderson ranks third on the conference list shooting 79.3% and Veronica Walker's 75.6% is good for the sixth spot. 

ON THE REBOUND
Through 19 games, the Lady Statesmen have amassed a total of 719 rebounds which is good for an average of 37.8 per game. DSU is averaging 6.3 more rebounds than its opponents per game.

THERE'S ONLY ONE...
In the modern era of Lady Statesmen Basketball, Delta State has suffered just one losing season since 1975-76 and that was in 1979-80 under former head coach Frances Garmon.  DSU is the only school in NCAA history to top 1,000 wins, as the Lady Statesmen boast a 1,016-244-3 record.  The Lady Statesmen also hold the GSC record for all-time wins with a 660-133 mark.

WELCOME TO MY BLOCK PARTY
Veronica Walker ranks second on the Lady Statesmen's all-time blocked shots list with 213 in her career; only 19 shy from becoming the Lady Statesmen's all-time leader, which is held by Pam Lockett with 232.

BALL-IN LIKE AN UPPERCLASSMEN
Freshman guard/forward Rhandi Ball has gotten off to a fast start in her first season as at DSU, averaging 6.0 points and 5.1 rebounds, which rank second on the team. The Pontotoc, Miss., native is also second on the team with 35 assists. In 19 games, the former All-State selection at Pontotoc High has scored in double figures five times including an 11-point, 11-rebound effort in DSU's signature win at Florida Southern in the Lady Mocs Classic. 

ROBERTS RULES
Junior transfer point guard Brittany Roberts has settled in to her role as the new leader of the Lady Statesmen offense. The Meridian, Miss., native is averaging 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, which rank fifth in the GSC. The former Shelton State (Ala.) standout dished out a career-high nine assists versus Lincoln Memorial and has topped the six assists mark three times.

WALTON FINDING HER GROOVE
Freshman center Seneca Walton is starting to find her groove for the Lady Statesmen.  The Clarksdale, Miss., native turned in 11 points in DSU's 64-44 win over West Alabama (1.14), while providing a major spark off the bench with seven points and eight boards in the 64-40 win over West Georgia (1.12).  Through 19 games, Walton is averaging 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest.  She scored a season-high 12 points versus Saint Leo earlier this year. 

SCATTERED, SMOTHERED AND COVERED...RUSHING STYLE
The Lady Statesmen have always been sound defensively.  This season, DSU is making a mark with smothering defense.  DSU ranks No. 1 in the GSC in scoring defense (51.5), field goal percentage defense (35.7), 3-point FG percentage defense (24.0) and rebounding margin (+6.8).  All these numbers add up to another successful year for coach Sandra Rushing and the Lady Statesmen.

PUT IT IN THE BASKET...
Delta State enters week four of the Gulf South Conference schedule leading the league in field goal percentage.  The Lady Statesmen have connected on 434-of-988 shots for 43.9 percent.  DSU is just one of two schools in the GSC above 40 percent, but this week's opponent West Florida shoots just under 40 percent with a 39.9 percent team average from the floor.

MINUTES ON THE CLOCK
Sophomore shooting guard Brooke Rhodes and senior forward Veronica Walker rank first and third respectively in the GSC in minutes played this season.  Rhodes is averaging 34.8 minutes on the floor per game while Walker is coming in at 33.2 minutes per game

DSU TIED TO BEGINNINGS OF WOMEN'S COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL
In the early 1970s, the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women began a push to make women's basketball accessible to college and universities across the country.  Delta State was one of the first to make it a priority. 

Under Naismith Hall of Famer Margaret Wade, the Lady Statesmen enjoyed unprecedented success from 1974-75 to 1976-77, claiming three straight AIAW National Championships.  During her tenure as head coach, the Lady Statesmen went 157-23, including 93-4 during their national championship seasons.

After moving to NCAA Division II in 1986, the Lady Statesmen have continued to be one of the game's most successful programs.  DSU claimed NCAA DII national championships in 1988-89, 1989-90 and 1991-92.  The Lady Statesmen also boast the most wins by an NCAA DII member institution with 980 (980-241-3).

“FAB FIVE” THE FIRST OF MANY AT DSU
Coach Margaret Wade built a dynasty at Delta State around a group of players, known simply as the “Fab Five.”  Lusia Harris-Stewart (C), Debbie Brock (PG), Cornelia Ward (F), Wanda Hairston (F) and Ramona Von Boeckman (F) became the first and potentially only starting five named All-American in the same year.  All five DSU starters were named to the Hanes 1976-77 All-American Team following a 32-3 season and their third-straight AIAW national championship. 

BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME HOME TO TWO LADY STATESMEN
Delta State is the only university in Mississippi and the Gulf South Conference to boast two inductees into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame - Lily Margaret Wade (1986) and Lusia Harris-Stewart (1992).

Wade became the first female inductee in 1986 after a storied career as a collegiate and high school coach.  Her career record stands at 610-112 in 19 seasons at Cleveland High and six seasons at DSU. 

Harris-Stewart simply changed the game when arrived on the scene in 1975.  The 6-foot-3 center still stands as one of the game's all-time greats.  In four years at DSU, she scored 2,981 career points (25.9 ppg), grabbed 1,662 rebounds (14.4 rpg), and graduated with fifteen of eighteen DSU team, single game and career records. 

Harris-Stewart led DSU to a 109-6 record and three straight AIAW National Championships. Harris-Stewart was a member of the first-ever women's silver medal Olympic team in 1976, and held the distinction of being the team's leading scorer and leading rebounder.

LEGENDS COACH HERE
Very few coaches have had the impact on their respective universities like Margaret Wade and Lloyd Clark. The two coaches combined to win 651 games and six National Championships while prowling the sidelines at Delta State. Wade is often referred to as “the Mother of modern women's college basketball,” while Clark's teams were widely known for their defensive prowess and athleticism.

Wade coached the Lady Statesmen to three straight AIAW National Championships, and players under her direction remain on top of the DSU record books. Coach Wade had such an impact, that in 1978, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association named their Player of the Year award after coach Margaret Wade, The Wade Trophy.

Coach Wade had an unheard of record of 109-6 during her first four years at the helm of DSU Women's Basketball. In 1986, Wade became the first woman to be inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

During his 19 years as head coach, Lloyd Clark became one of the greatest coaches in women's basketball history. Clark compiled an amazing 494-98 record from 1983-2002. His teams won three NCAA DII National Championships, including back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990.  Clark's teams reached the NCAA Tournament in 16 of his 19 seasons, and advanced to the Elite Eight 11 times. Clark was named Gulf South Conference Coach of the year five times. In 2006, Clark was inducted into the MS Sports Hall of Fame.