CLEVELAND, Miss. – Chelsey Rhodes scored a game-high 16 points to lead No. 22 Delta State University to a 61-35 victory over Stillman College in the home opener for the Lady Statesmen and first for new head coach Craig Roden. The Lady Statesmen improved to 1-2 on the year, while the Lady Tigers slipped to 0-3.
 
"Proud of our effort defensively tonight," Roden said. "We played well offensively at times, but it's still quite early in the year and the timing will come. Chelsey Rhodes really shot the ball well and that helped us early."
 
Stifling defense was the story of the game for DSU, as the Lady Statesmen held the Lady Tigers to 20.8 percent on the night, after SC managed just 11-of-53 from the floor and only four field goals in the second half. The defensive effort was the best of the early season.
 
In the first half, the Lady Statesmen held Stillman to 25 percent from the floor to take a 39-19 lead into the break. SC hit on just 7-of-28 attempts from the floor, including two of their last 12. The Lady Tigers were also 1-of-9 from 3-point range.
 
Led by Rhodes' 11 points and Walton's eight points and eight rebounds, DSU closed the half on an 18-4 run.
 
The Lady Statesmen controlled the tempo for most of the first half. DSU was 14-of-30 from the floor for 46.7 percent and a blistering 5-of-10 from 3-point range.
 
The second half proved to be a foul-fest, as the two teams combined for 38 points and 25 fouls. DSU outscored SC 22-16 in the final frame to make the margin 26, 61-35 at the buzzer.
 
DSU never trailed in the game and shot 40.8 percent on the night, making 20-of-49 from the floor and 6-of-15 from 3-point range. The Lady Statesmen struggled at the free throw line, shooting 50 percent on 15-of-30 attempts.
 
Rhodes, a junior from Monticello, Arkansas, made 5-of-15 shots on the night and a season-high four 3-pointers to lead Delta State and all scorers with 16 points.
 
Seneca Walton narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. Carly Keller added eight points and Rhandi Ball finished with five points, seven rebounds and three assists.
 
Samantha Thomas scored 10 points to pace the Lady Tigers.  
 
Delta State has a quick turnaround, as the Lady Statesmen return to action Tuesday, Nov. 25 versus Paine College. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at Sillers Coliseum.