Box Score
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Lady Statesmen of Delta State University traveled to Spragins Hall on the campus of Alabama-Huntsville to take on the Lady Chargers on Saturday afternoon. The Green-and-White rallied to win 78-69 over UAH to improve to 8-1 on the season and 3-0 in Gulf South Conference play. Alabama-Huntsville falls to 7-2 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.

The top two teams in the conference, Delta State and Alabama-Huntsville were in a competitive fight as soon as they hit the hardwood for an epic battle. The two squads experience a rivalry that dates back several seasons, but last season saw both teams making a valiant effort for postseason titles. UAH, the defending Gulf South Conference Champions, handed DSU two of its only losses last season, one being in the conference tournament semifinal game. Delta State sought redemption and found it in its next meeting with the Lady Chargers to bring UAH's season to an end in the NCAA South Region semifinal game.

A lot was riding on the matchup with DSU and UAH in this early conference contest.

Both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net for the first several minutes of play in the first half as the score held at 9-7 in DSU's favor at the 15:02 mark. Delta State turned up the tempo with buckets from Rhandi Ball, Anissa Jackson, Seneca Walton, and Chelsey Rhodes to lead the Lady Chargers 21-11 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half. Alabama-Huntsville inched within five points before the Lady Statesmen extended their lead to 34-28 to head to the locker room at the half. The Green-and-White shot 60.9 percent from the field and held the Lady Chargers to just 26.5 percent from the field.

The Lady Chargers opened the half with a 12-4 run to knot the game at 40 a piece. The Lady Statesmen responded with two deep three-pointers from Chelsey Rhodes and a fast break basket from Shanae Govan to regain the lead 48-41. With the score evened at 57-57, Delta State's Chelsey Rhodes shoots the go-ahead three in response to an Alabama-Huntsville goal to give the Lady Statesmen the 60-57 lead with 3:56 remaining. Gulf South scoring leader Jordan Smith for the Lady Chargers tied the game at 60-60 before Rhodes answered again with a long three to reclaim the lead, 63-60 with 2:51 remaining in the contest. The Lady Statesmen held on to clinch the 78-69 win over the defending GSC Champions.

Three Delta State players posted outstanding numbers in their win over UAH. Seneca Walton recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Chelsey Rhodes and Shanae Govan displayed career-high performances as Rhodes scored 26 points, going 8-of-12 from the field and 4-of-7 from behind the arc. Govan recorded a career-high 13 points and contributed five steals, four rebounds, and four assits.

The Green-and-White shot 52.0 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from downtown. The Delta defense held the Lady Chargers to just a 29.3 field goal percentage to maintain their season average of holding opponents to under 30 percent from the field.

Delta State returns to action next year at Walter Sillers Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 4 to face the University of West Georgia. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.