Box Score

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Lady Statesmen of Delta State University traveled to Augusta, Ga., on Monday night to face their last non-conference opponent of the season, Paine College. Delta State (5-1) took the 86-59 victory over Paine (1-5).

The game was evenly matched during the first half as there were six lead changes and six ties in the first 20 minutes of play. DSU broke away just under four minutes to play in the first half with a pair of good free throws from junior Rhandi Ball and a basket from long range by Chelsey Rhodes to give the Lady Statesmen the six-point lead, 31-25. Becca Ruckes extended the lead to eight with a fastbreak bucket. Four made Delta State free throws and a layup from Rhandi Ball gave the Green-and-White the 41-28 advantage going into the locker room at the half.

The Lady Statesmen started the second half leading by as few as seven points before building momentum and taking control of the game. A fastbreak basket by Ball and another three-pointer from Rhodes put DSU up by 17 to go up 64-47 with just over seven minutes remaining in the game. Ball continued her hot streak in the paint as she scored the next six baskets for the Green-and-White to go up 72-49. The Lady Statesmen gained their largest lead of the night with 26 seconds to play on a layup on Ruckes to extend the lead to 29 points to go up 86-57. A late basket from Paine cut the lead back to 27 to hold the final score at 86-59 in favor of the Green-and-White.

Delta State was led by four Lady Statesmen in double figures. Ball scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while contributing six assists and one steal. Chelsey Rhodes and Becca Ruckes each recorded 15 points and two boards. Seneca Walton continued her sensational performance down low as she has recorded double figures in every game this season, including 12 points against Paine. Walton also added six boards, two assists, one block, and one steal. Senior Shanae Govan recorded a career-high nine points, while adding three assists and five steals.

The Green-and-White shot 52.7 percent (29-55) from the field, 44.4 percent (4-9) from downtown, and 85.7 percent (24-28) from the charity line. Delta State's defense held Paine to just a 40 field goal percentage and 35.3 three-point percentage.

DSU will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 14 in Memphis, Tenn., to face Christian Brothers to open Gulf South Conference play. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.