Box Score CLEVELAND, Miss. – The No. 9 Delta State University women's basketball team survived a furious second half comeback by the University of North Alabama to claim a 63-59 victory on Thursday, Jan. 16 at Walter Sillers Coliseum. Behind Seneca Walton's 14 points and nine rebounds, the Lady Statesmen remained undefeated in GSC play at 7-0 while improving to 12-1 overall.  UNA slipped to 8-5 overall and 3-4 in league play.

After leading 31-22 at the break, the Lady Statesmen were in a fight to the final horn, as the Lions outscored DSU 37-32 in the second half.  UNA, playing a physical style of offense in the second frame, took advantage of free throws to get back into the contest, hitting on 18-of-28. 

UNA made a one possession game with 3.3 second left after Janae Lyde's bank shot made it 62-59.

After a UNA foul, DSU's Chelsey Rhodes made one of her two free throw attempts to make it a 4-point lead with 1.9 second left. 

The Lions in-bounds pass would sail high as Rhodes picked it off to seal the 63-59 victory.

UNA held DSU to its lowest field goal percentage of the season, as the Lady Statesmen hit on 31.8 percent of their shots (21 for 66) from the field.  DSU, which didn't make a 3-pointer all night, was 21 for 26 from the free throw line. 

Walton led the Lady Statesmen with 14 points and nine rebounds.  Becca Ruckes added 10 points while Rhodes closed out the game with nine points.  Shanae Govan had eight points, six rebounds and five assists. 

Defensively, UNA made 36.7 percent from the field after going 18 for 49 from the floor.  With free throws playing a major factor in the outcome, the Lions were 20 for 33 at the line. 

UNA's Lauren Faris led all scorers with 18 points.  Delisa Madry added 15 and Jennifer Towns chipped in 11. 

Delta State welcomes the Lady Bulldogs of Union University on Saturday, Jan. 18.  Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at Walter Sillers Coliseum.  Philip Tang will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 1:45 p.m.