CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University women's basketball claimed its second win in as many nights, as the Lady Statesmen (2-2) downed Paine College (1-2) Tuesday, Nov. 25 at Walter Sillers Coliseum. Senior preseason All-American Seneca Walton led the Lady Statesmen with 15 points while Chelsey Rhodes added 10 points.
 
The victory was also DSU's second straight against Paine.  The Lady Statesmen defeated Paine 86-59 last season in Augusta, Georgia.
 
Delta State jumped out to an early 9-0 lead with 17:09 to play in the first, as the Lady Statesmen connected on their first four field goal attempts.
 
After forcing two DSU turnovers, the Lady Lions answered with a 6-0 run over the next four possessions to cut into the lead with 15:20 to play in the first.
 
Over the next 10:30, the Lady Statesmen outscored Paine 16-4 to take a 15-point lead, 25-10, with 4:04 to go in the half. Walton scored four of DSU's points during the stretch to add to her first half high 10.
 
DSU's defense, which held Stillman to 11 field goals in 53 attempts Monday night, forced the Lady Lions to just 2-of-18 to end the half with a 33-12 lead.
 
PC finished the half 4-of-22 for 18.2 percent. Brianna Simms led the Lady Lions with five points at the break.
 
The Lady Statesmen shot 50 percent (13-of-26) from the floor and 4-of-7 from 3-point range, including two three's from Kenisha Henry.
 
After a sluggish first half, Paine opened the second on a 6-0 run. Back-to-back jumpers by Aaliaha Wright and LaSharon Salahuddin, and a basket by Keiundra Guilford cut the DSU lead 33-18 with 17:00 to go.
 
Carly Keller ended the drought for the Lady Statesmen with a driving lay-in with 16:08 on the clock. The sophomore was fouled in the act and completed the three-point play at the line.
 
PC kept cutting into the DSU lead until the lead with a Delisa Sharpe jumper at the 12:20 mark to make it 41-24. After that basket, the Lady Statesmen started putting the game away with a 13-5 stretch to go up 55-29 with 6:38 left.
 
Over the final 6:08, Paine outscored DSU 17-9 to make the final margin 18, 64-46, at the buzzer.
 
DSU never trailed and shot 44.9 percent (22-of-49) on the night, while holding PC to 29.6 percent (16-of-54). The Lady Statesmen forced 24 Lady Lions turnovers, scoring 20 points off those miscues en route to the win.
 
Walton shot 6-of-10 from the floor to close with 15 points and four rebounds. Keller had nine points and four assists for DSU, while Henry and Ball had seven apiece.
 
Sharpe paced Paine with 14 points and five boards.

The Lady Statesmen will open Gulf South Conference play on Thursday, Dec. 4, as Delta State hosts the University of West Georgia at Walter Sillers Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. The Statesmen will face the Wolves immediately after the women's game at 7:30 p.m.