Box Score CLEVELAND, Miss. – Seneca Walton scored a career-high 27 points and pulled down nine rebounds to power the Delta State University Women's basketball team to an 83-60 victory over the University of Alabama-Huntsville Saturday, Feb. 16 at Walter Sillers Coliseum.  The Lady Statesmen improved to 15-7 overall and moved into sole possession of first play in the Gulf South Conference with a 10-4 record.  The Lady Chargers slipped to 11-14 overall and 8-7 in league play. 

“Great win today for our Lady Statesmen,” DSU head coach David Midlick said.  “We played well for 40 minutes today and our defense was as good as it's been all year, plus Seneca Walton turned in a career day as well.”

DSU's defensive intensity was the catalyst all afternoon for its offensive success.  The Lady Statesmen forced 24 UAH turnovers and used those miscues to score 23 points compared to the Lady Chargers 14 points off DSU's 13 turnovers. 

That effort was apparent in the second half, as the green-and-white outscored UAH 45-28.  DSU shot 46.4 percent in the second frame and held UAH to a mere 26.7 percent from the floor. 

The first half was a physical contest between the two schools, as the Lady Statesmen fought for a 38-32 halftime lead. 

DSU shot 45.9 percent in the first half on 17-of-37 attempts from the floor.  UAH was 13-of-32 from the field for 40.6 percent, including 4-of-5 from the free throw line. 

The Lady Statesmen made the most of the 3-point shot, as Chelsey Rhodes connected on 3-of-5 shots from deep.  The Lady Chargers were 2-of-11 from 3-point range. 

Walton led DSU with 12 points, while Smith paced UAH with eight. 

The Lady Statesmen finished the game shooting 30-of-65 from the floor for 46.2 percent.  DSU was 4-of-10 from 3-point range, but nailed 19-of-27 free throws to help salt away the win. 

DSU's Rhandi Ball collected another double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.  Chelsey Rhodes added 17 points and Brittany Roberts closed out the game with 10 points and five rebounds.

The Lady Chargers shot 33.9 percent for the game on 21-of-62 attempts.  UAH was 5-of-23 (21.7 percent) from 3-point range and 13-of-19 from the line. 

Jasmine Hammon scored a team-high 18 points to lead UAH.  Jordan Smith added 14 points as well.

The Lady Statesmen travel to long-time rival West Alabama on Thursday, Feb. 21 for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff at Pruitt Hall in Livingston, Ala.  The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 5:15 p.m. with the DSU Alumni Association Lady Statesmen Tipoff Report.  Eric Gallo and Herb Brooks have the call.