GAME NOTES: Delta State vs. West Georgia (12.4.14)

CLEVELAND, Mississippi - Delta State University Lady Statesmen basketball is set to tip-off Gulf South Conference play this week against West Georgia and West Alabama at Walter Sillers Coliseum. Delta State will take on the Wolves of West Georgia on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Statesmen will continue their conference action as they face off with the Lady Tigers of West Alabama on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2:00 p.m. Both of the matches will be followed by the men's game.
 

LADY STATESMEN GAME DAY INFORMATION
Date/Location:	Dec. 4, 2014 | Walter Sillers Coliseum | Cleveland, Miss. Dec. 6, 2014 | Walter Sillers Coliseum | Cleveland, Miss.
Tipoff Time:	West Georgia 5:30 p.m. West Alabama 2:00 p.m.
Radio:	Statesmen Sports Network | Philip Tang (PxP) Scott Wyant (Color)
Series History:	48th meeting with UWG; Statesmen lead series 33-4 51st meeting with UWA; Statesmen lead series 46-4
Live Audio:	Listen Here
Live Stats:	Live Stats
Live Video:	Watch Here

 
 

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 Roden's Road
Craig Roden is entering his first season as head coach of the Lady Statesmen.  Roden, who comes to DSU from the University of West Alabama, has coached at every level of collegiate basketball, including the last 18 years in the Gulf South Conference at the University of West Georgia, where he spent 14 seasons, and the last four at UWA.
 
He brings a career 497-450 record to DSU, including a 300-274 mark in GSC play. His 300 GSC victories are the second highest total of any coach in league history; trailing legendary former Lady Statesman head coach Lloyd Clark's 495.
 
Roden's 18 seasons as a head coach in the GSC have led to tremendous individual success on the court for his players, as seven have been named All-American and 21 selected to all-conference honors. He has also coached four GSC Players of the Year, two NCAA Division II South Region Players of the Year and a finalist for Daktronics DII National Player of the Year.
 
ALL WE DO IS WIN
In the modern era of Lady Statesmen Basketball, Delta State has suffered just one losing season since 1975-76 and that was in 1979-80 under former head coach Frances Garmon. DSU is the only school in NCAA history to top 1,000 wins, as the Lady Statesmen boast a 1,066-261-3 record.  The Lady Statesmen also hold the GSC record for all-time wins with a 694-142 mark.
 
BALL NOMINATED FOR THE WBCA GOOD WORKS TEAM
Senior guard, Rhandi Ball has been nominated for the WBCA Allstate Insurance Good Works Team. The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), and Allstate Insurance Company today announced the 251 nominees for the 2015 Allstate WBCA and NABC Good Works Teams®. This prestigious community service award recognizes a distinguished group of student-athletes who have demonstrated a commitment to enriching the lives of others and contributing to the greater good in their communities.
 
CLEVELAND - TITLE TOWN
The Delta State University Lady Statesmen have dominated the Gulf South Conference over the years.  The Lady Statesmen own virtually every GSC and NCAA Tournament record in the books. In NCAA history, DSU has appeared in a league-record 25 NCAA regionals with an all-time record of 55-23 (.705). 
 
The Lady Statesmen have claimed three NCAA National Championships (1989, 1990, and 1992) and three A.I.A.W. crowns (1975, 1976, and 1977).  No other school in the GSC has claimed a national championship in women's basketball.
 
RHODES, WALTON RECIEVE 2015 PRESEASON GSC HONORS
Junior guard Chelsey Rhodes (First Team) and senior center Seneca Walton (First Team) were named to the 2014-15 Gulf South Conference Preseason All-GSC Team.  Rhodes averaged 14.3 points and 31 minutes per game, while Walton led the Lady Statesmen with 9.4 rebounds per game and averaged 13.9 points per game.
 
WALTON'S WORLD
 A 6-1 senior center, Seneca Walton earned the All-South Region Player of the Year accolade for her performance last season, which included being named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Year. The Clarksdale, Miss., native led the GSC in rebounding and field goal percentage while recording 14 double-doubles. Walton most recently reached career milestones 900-career points and 600-career rebounds.
 
WALTON'S 1,000 POINT CLUB WATCH
Senior center, Seneca Walton (998) is chasing the 1,000-point club. She is two points shy of joining a very prestigious list of Lady Statesmen. Walton will become the 34th member of the club. Senior, Rhandi Ball (818) and junior, Chelsey Rhodes (785) are all approaching 1,000 points.
 
1,000 Point Club
5. Stacy Johnson (94-97)....... 1,886
6. Caroline Boclair (98-01).... 1,663
7. Tanya Redmond (95-98)... 1,662
8. Carla Holder (81-84).......... 1,615
9. Pam Lockett (87-90).......... 1,577
10. Crystal Hardy (87-90)..... 1,570
11. Burnadette McDonald (84-87) 1,538
12. Cornelia Ward (75-78)..... 1,505
13. Doreen Grote (78-81)...... 1,443
14. Shorlone Crockam (90-93) 1,418
15. Leslie McKiernon (90-93) 1,409
16. Ida Johnson (82-85)......... 1,403
17. Delinda Samuel (85-86)... 1,378
18. Anita Robinson (87-90)... 1,376
19. Jennifer Rushing (04-08). 1,329
20. Trina Daivs (95-98)......... 1,318
21. Wanda Hairston (74-77).. 1,312
22. Mary Adams (77-81)...... 1,308
23. Nicole Trotter (97-00)..... 1,299
24. Ramona Von Boeckman (75-78).. 1,287
25. Betsy Hubbs (86-88)....... 1,232
26. Amber Gean (2001-05).... 1,195
27. Vickie Jackson  (82-86)... 1,100
28. Theresa Perry (92-95)..... 1,098
29. Pam Taylor (88-91)......... 1,094
30. Shawnna Wright (97-00).. 1,077
31. Lynn Rose (94-96).......... 1,051
32. Sarita "Bug" Cooper (07-11) 1,027
33. Moe Bell (07-11)............. 1,006
 
2,000 POINT CLUB
1. Lusia Harris (1974-77)................................................2,981 
2. Deborah Temple (1982-84).........................................2,225
3. Veronica Walker (2008-2012)......................................2,188
4. LaTanya Patty (1990-93).............................................2,106
 
DEFENSE DRIVES CHAMPIONSHIPS
DSU has historically been a dominant defensive basketball team and coach Craig Roden has carried on the tradition laid before him by Margaret Wade, Lloyd Clark, and Sandra Rushing. 
 
Coach Roden and the Lady Statesmen are once again looking to set the standard for defense in the Gulf South Conference.  DSU ranked first in the nation in scoring defense and in field goal percentage defense at the close of the 2013-14 season.