CLEVELAND, Mississippi – The Delta State University women's basketball team allowed just 11 points and held on for a 58-45 victory over West Alabama in Gulf South Conference action, on Monday night at Walter Sillers Coliseum.
 
Inside the Matchup:
 
    Score: Delta State 58 | West Alabama 45
    Records:  Lady Statesmen (6-6, 3-4 GSC) | West Alabama (4-10, 1-6 GSC)
    Series: DSU leads series 49-5
    Location: Walter Sillers Coliseum | Cleveland, Miss.
 
 
How It Happened:
 

• After the teams combined to score just six points in the first five minutes DSU's offense got on track, using seven straight points from Aspriona Gilbert, to take a 9-4 lead with 2:52 left in the opening quarter.
• DSU finished the quarter with a three-point basket by Alondrea Rush, to give the Lady Statesmen a 12-6 lead after one quarter. After a slow start, the Green-and-White shot 5-of-11 in the first 10 minutes. UWA was held to 3-of-9, while committing six turnovers.
• The Lady Statesmen continued their hot shooting into the second quarter, making seven of their next 10, while going on a 16-5 run to lead 28-11 with 2:37 left in the half.
• DSU held the visitors without a point for the final 4:55 of the half, to take a 29-11 lead into the locker room.
• UWA finished the half just 5-of-21 (23.8 percent) from the floor. DSU was 12-of-24 (50 percent) and 2-for-5 from long-range.
• The Lady Statesmen were out rebounded 16-15, but scored eight points off nine West Alabama miscues. DSU turned the ball over just one time in 20 minutes.
• Gilbert led DSU with 12 points, on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field. Chloe Culpepper led the visitors with six first half points.
• The Lady Statesmen continued their hot shooting into the third quarter, going 5-of-7 over the first 6:17 to extend the lead to 43-21 with 3:43 remaining in the period.
• After trailing by as many as 24 points, in the third quarter, UWA chipped away at the DSU lead to trail 47-32 at the end of the third quarter.
• The Tigers continued to battle, going on an 8-0 run to begin the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 47-39 on a three-pointer by Catherine Taylor with 7:15 left.
• After going 5:33 without a basket, Alondrea Rush gave DSU a 50-39 lead on a three-pointer with 4:35 left.
• The Lady Statesmen held UWA to just two field goals the rest of the way to hold on for the victory.
• UWA finished 16-of-45 (36 percent), while the Lady Statesmen were 21-of-50 (42 percent. DSU was 3-of-9 from long-range. The Tigers were just 1-of-3. DSU was outrebounded 35-29, but forced 17 turnovers, while committing just eight.
• Ariel Wilson led the Tigers with 10 points. Gilbert finished with 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting. Alondrea Rush added 16, while Kaelin Kneeland chipped in 12. Kneeland and Ieysha Mays tied for a game high with seven boards.

 
 
 
 
Notables:            

• In their last three victories (Union, UWG, UWA) the Lady Statesmen have held their opponents below single digits in at least one quarter.
• Gilbert's 18 points tied a career high, while Rush's 17 was one from her career best.
• The Lady Statesmen were outrebounded for just the third time this season.
• DSU's eight turnovers were a season low.

 
Who's Next:
 

• Delta State continues its home stand on Thursday, Jan. 12, when it hosts North Alabama. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.