JACKSON, Tenn. – Despite 21 points from
Chelsey Rhodes, No. 22 Delta State University (14-3, 11-3 GSC) fell to No. 14 Union University (18-2, 12-2 GSC), 59-51, in a battle for first place in the Gulf South Conference on Thursday.
Inside the Matchup- Score: Union University 59 | Delta State 51
- Matchup: Lady Statesmen (14-3, 11-3 GSC) | Lady Bulldogs (18-2, 12-2 GSC)
- Series: DSU leads series 6-4
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 | 6 p.m. (CST)
- Location: Fred DeLay Gym | Jackson, Tenn.
How It Happened- Union University jumped out to an 11-0 lead after a Kelsey Risner 3-pointer with 2:56 left in the first quarter.
- Aspriona Gilbert cut the lead to 12-6 with 35 seconds to go in the first quarter
- Baskets by Alondrea Rush and Rhodes gave DSU a 24-20 with 1:49 remaining in the second quarter.
- Jada Smith's two free throws cut the Lady Statesmen lead 24-22 at halftime.
- The Lady Statesmen shot 40.7 percent from the field while holding Union to 25.9 percent overall and 20 percent from 3-point range in the first half.
- The third quarter saw two ties and seven lead changes and there were four ties and eight lead changes overall in the second half.
- Smith capped a 6-0 run to forge the Lady Bulldogs to a 33-28 lead at the 6:30 mark of the third.
- Delta State answered with a 6-0 run of its own to take a 34-33 lead on a Ruckes layup with 2:36 to go.
- Union went on a 7-0 run to take a 40-34 lead before Rhodes cut the lead to 40-36 to end the third quarter.
- Layups by Gilbert and Rush tied the game, 40-40, to start the fourth quarter.
- A Rhodes layup and a free throw knotted the game, 46-46.
- Clinging to a 49-48 lead, the Lady Bulldogs went on a 8-0 run over a span of 2:35 to seize a 57-48 lead with 54 seconds left.
- Risner made two free throws with 18 seconds left to make the final, 59-51
Notables - The Lady Statesmen held the Lady Bulldogs to 17 points under their 76.1 season scoring average.
- Union University held a 43-26 rebounding edge, marking only the third time the Lady Statesmen were outrebounded this season.
- Rhodes led the Lady Statesmen with 21 points and is 12th on the Lady Statesmen all-time scoring list with 1,535 points. Rhodes needs four points to pass Burnadette McDonald (1,538 points/1984-87) for 11th.
- Rhodes went 2-of-13 from three-point range and is now made 180-of-549 3-pointers for her career, ranking second and third, respectively. The Monticello, Ark., native needs eight made 3-pointers to pass Tanya Redmond (187/1995-98) for second.
- Anissa Jackson scored nine points and had a team-high five rebounds.
- Rush chipped even points and had three assists.
- This was the second meeting this season with the both schools nationally ranked and tied for first place in the GSC. Delta State claimed 63-59 win in Cleveland, Miss. (12.13.15).
Who's Next?- Delta State takes on Christian Brothers University on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Memphis, Tenn.
