GAME NOTES: West Georgia @ Delta State (1.4.14)

CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Lady Statesmen of Delta State University will hit the hardwood for the first time after Christmas break to face Gulf South Conference opponent West Georgia. Delta State will look to improve on their 8-1 overall record and undefeated 3-0 conference record when they take on the Wolves at Walter SIllers Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 2:00 p.m.

STATESMEN GAME DAY INFORMATION
Date/Location:	UWG - Jan. 4, 2014 | Sillers Coliseum | Cleveland, Miss.
Tipoff Time:	UWG 2 p.m. CST
Radio:	Statesmen Sports Network | Philip Tang (PxP)
Rankings:	Delta State (11 - WBCA Top 25) West Georgia (NR - WBCA Top 25)
Series History:	DSU leads series 32-3 | 36th meeting
Live Audio:	http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/dsu.portal#
Live Stats:	http://www.sidearmstats.com/deltastate/wbball/
Live Video:	http://www.b2tv.com/partner_members.asp?id=299



IN THE PAINT

The Lady Statesmen of Delta State University face the University of West Georgia to open Gulf South Conference play in 2014.

This matchup marks the 36^th meeting all time between the Lady Statesmen and Wolves. DSU leads the series 32-3.

Last season saw the two squads meeting twice, Delta State claiming both victories by scores of 65-54 and 60-49. Rhandi Ball scored 12 points in game one, while Chelsey Rhodes added 11 points. Mone Peoples led West Georgia with 18 points.

Chadisty Hickman carried DSU in the second meeting of the season with 15 points. Jerlisa Taylor contributed 15 points for UWG.

Delta State is coming off a tough road series before Christmas that saw two big conference wins over West Alabama and the defending GSC Champions, Alabama-Huntsville.

The matchup between DSU and UWA saw Delta State winning 77-43 over the Lady Tigers. Seneca Walton led with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Rhandi Ball added 14 points.

DSU shot 64.7 percent from the field and held West Alabama to a 29.2 field goal percentage.

Chelsey Rhodes guided the Green-and-White in their 78-69 win over Alabama-Huntsville as she scored a career-high 26 points and grabbed four steals.

Junior Seneca Walton added a double-double, her sixth of the season, with 21 points and 12 boards.

Crossett, Ark., native, Shanae Govan, had a stellar performance against Alabama-Huntsville, posting a career-high 13 points. She added four assits and five steals. Govan ranks second in the Gulf South in assists, averaging 4.6 assists per game.

The Lady Statesmen shot 52.0 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from behind the arc, while holding the Lady Chargers to just a 29.3 field goal percentage and a 23.8 three-point percentage.

With the two wins over West Alabama and Alabama-Huntsville, DSU moves to No. 1 in GSC rankings.

Rhodes and Walton hold the number seven and eight spots respectively in the GSC for scoring. Rhodes averages 15.1 points per game, while Walton averages 14.3.

The Green-and-White continues to show they are a force to be reckoned with on defense. They lead the Gulf South in scoring defense, holding their opponents to just 52.3 points per game, and field goal percentage defense, keeping their opponents under a 30 percent field goal percentage.

Delta State holds the number one spot in the GSC in field goal percentage (47.9%) and rebounding defense (31.3 rpg).

The Lady Statesmen hit the hardwood again on Monday, Jan. 6 at Walter Sillers Coliseum to face the Lady Hawks of Shorter University. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.