Box Score
PENSACOLA, Fla. – No. 10 Delta State University fell short to the Argos of the University West Florida to suffer its first conference loss of the season, falling by a score of 65-58. The Lady Statesmen slip to 14-2 overall and 9-1 in Gulf South Conference play, while West Florida improves to 11-5 on the season and 5-5 in league play.

The last meeting between the two squads at the West Florida Field House in Pensacola saw the Argos giving the Lady Statesmen one of their only conference losses of the 2012-13 season. The Green-and-White sought redemption at the Field House but fell short.

An intense first half was to be expected, as there were fourteen lead changes and three ties in the first 20 minutes of play. A foul-plagued first half for the Lady Statesmen sent the Argos to the free throw line eight times, where they were a perfect 4-of-4. Sophomore sensation Chelsey Rhodes was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field including a whopping 4-of-4 from downtown to combine for 14 points at the half. Three unanswered UWF buckets in the last 1:30 gave the Argos a two-point advantage over Delta State to head into the locker room. DSU trailed 26-24 at the half for just the second time this season.

The intensity between the two teams continued into the second half, with West Florida maintaining the momentum. To open the last half of play, the Argos went on an 11-4 run to lead 37-28 over Delta State. Fouls, as well as turnovers caused by UWF's press defense and aggressiveness, plagued the Lady Statesmen throughout the half. The Green-and-White began to adjust to the press when Seneca Walton found Rhandi Ball under the basket for a break away goal to cut the lead to 39-33 at the 13:39 mark. Ball had the hot hand for DSU with six points in two minutes and ten seconds, the score standing at 51-39 in favor of West Florida. Four made Delta State free throws from Chelsey Rhodes and Anissa Jackson provided a spark for the Lady Statesmen to cut the lead to nine, 53-44, with 6:36 remaining.  DSU shots began to fall on back-to-back drives from Chelsey Rhodes to cut the deficit to seven. Trailing 59-50, a clutch fade away jumper from Seneca Walton put the momentum back in Delta State's possession with just under four minutes to play. A decisive 6-2 run by the Argos with 43 seconds left closed out the game, West Florida taking the victory 65-58.

Chelsey Rhodes led all scorers with 23 points, while Seneca Walton recorded her 10^th double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 boards. Rhandi Ball added 10 points to join Rhodes and Walton in double figures.

The Lady Statesmen outshot the Argos from the field 41.5 percent to 40 percent. The difference maker was West Florida's 15 offensive rebounds to Delta State's 10.

DSU returns home to Walter Sillers Coliseum on Thursday, Jan. 30 to take on the Tigers of West Alabama. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.