PENSACOLA, Fla. – The University of West Florida Argonauts women's basketball team led the Delta State University Lady Statesmen the entire 40 minutes to earn its first Gulf South Conference win, with a 66-51 victory, Thursday night at UWF Fieldhouse.

The Lady Statesmen (10-6, 5-3) trailed UWF (4-12, 1-7) 10-O to start the contest, before Chelsey Rhodes scored the first points of the game on a jump shot with 15:44 remaining in the first half.

A layup by Rhandi Ball capped off an 8-0 run to pull DSU to within 12-10 with 10:10 remaining, but the Argos responded with an 8-2 run of its own to regain command with a 20-12 lead. UWF led by as many as 16 points in the first half, but the Lady Statesmen used a basket by Chadisty Hickman, and two by Ball to trail by a 31-21 margin at halftime.

Jasmine Wingfall of UWF and Ball each had 11 first half points. DSU struggled from the floor, going 9-of-34 (26.5), while UWF was 11-of-31 (35.5). The Argos dominated the boards in the opening 20 minutes, outrebounding DSU 30-16.

A layup by Wingfall with 16:28 remaining gave UWF a commanding 41-27 lead, which tied the biggest lead of the contest. DSU fought back with a 16-3 run to pull to within 44-41 with 11:02 left.

That was as close as the Lady Statesmen could get, as the Argonauts used 20 second half points from Hanna Vette to close the game on a 22-10 run.

UWF used good shooting in the second half to pull away, going 14-of-27 (51.9) in the final 20 minutes.

The Lady Statesmen tied a season low 51 points and were held to a season worst 26.8 from the floor in the loss.

Chelsey Rhodes (12), Brooke Rhodes (10) and Ball (11) finished in double figures for DSU.

Vette (23) and Wingall (18) paced the Argos. UWF received three double-digit rebounding performances from Emily Erland (16), Jamie Druding (13) and Vette (12). The Argonauts finsished with a commanding 54-36 edge in rebounding.

DSU will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 26 to face the Valdosta State Lady Blazers. The game will be featured on national television by the CBS Sports Network. Tipoff is set for 10:30 a.m. CST. The Statesmen Sports Network will have coverage beginning at 10:15 a.m.