Box Score
VALDOSTA, Ga. – Sophomore Chelsey Rhodes' 25 points guided No. 10 Delta State University to a 65-61 decision over Valdosta State University. The Lady Statesmen improve to 14-1 on the season and maintain their perfect Gulf South Conference record at 9-0. The Lady Blazers fall to 9-5 overall and 4-4 in league play.

The Lady Statesmen opened the first half with a 10-6 run to end the first ten minutes of play. The two squads exchanged the lead for six minutes of play before the Green-and-White took the 19-18 lead at the 4:20 mark. A steal and fast break bucket by senior Shanae Govan put DSU up 21-18 over the Lady Blazers. Jumpers from Seneca Walton, Chelsey Rhodes and a basket from Govan with five seconds on the clock gave Delta State the 28-20 lead going into the locker room. Although Valdosta outrebounded the Lady Statesmen 20-15 in the first half of play, Delta State's 48 percent field goal percentage gave them the advantage over the Lady Blazers.

Four quick DSU points opened the second half to give Delta State a ten-point 32-22 lead. VSU found some momentum with three baskets in as many consecutive possessions to cut the lead to one, 35-34. A jumper from Seneca Walton and another fast break basket by Shanae Govan put the Lady Statesmen back up by five heading into the under twelve minute media timeout. Back-to-back VSU threes put the Lady Blazers back within four, 59-55, of the Lady Statesmen with 1:30 remaining in the game. With Delta State being in the double bonus for the remaining two minutes of the ball game, gave Valdosta a slight edge at the free throw line, cutting the DSU lead to three, 61-58, with under one minute to play. Made free throws sealed the deal for the Lady Statesmen as they clinched the 65-61 victory over Valdosta to remain undefeated in conference play.

Rhodes was one point shy of her career-high 26 points as she led the Lady Statesmen to the victory over VSU. Senior Shanae Govan added twelve points, six assists, and three steals. Seneca Walton recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 boards to join Rhodes and Govan in double figures. Walton also met career-milestone 500 rebounds with her performance against the Lady Blazers.

The Green-and-White shot 50 percent from the field on the night, 33.3 percent from behind the arc, and 66.7 percent from the charity line to defeat Valdosta.

Up next, Delta State will head west to take on the Argos of West Florida on Saturday, Jan. 25. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.