GAME NOTES WEEK 5
CLEVELAND, Miss. -- The Delta State University women's basketball (7-1, 1-1 GSC) plays host to the University of Arkansas-Monticello (8-1) and Mississippi College (5-4, 2-1 GSC) on Wednesday and Saturday  at Walter Silliers Coliseum.  The Lady Statesmen take on Arkansas-Monticello on Wednesday at noon before hosting the Choctaws on Saturday at 2 p.m.
  INSIDE THE SERIES: This will be the 51st meeting between the Lady Statesmen and Cotton Blossoms with the Green-and-White holding a 42-8 overall record and 23-1 mark at The Sill. Delta State owns a 54-10 record heading into the 65th meeting against in-state rival Mississippi College. The Lady Statesmen are 28-4 in games played at Walter Sillers.

GSC WEEKLY HONORS:  Quantesha Patterson was named the GSC Women's Basketball Player of the Week for the second time this season after leading the Lady Statesmen to a 2-0 week that included region wins over LeMoyne Owen College and Miles College. Patterson averaged 15.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game while shooting 77 percent from the floor (10-of-13).  She recorded double-doubles in both contests scoring 18 points with 16 rebounds against LOC and 13 points and 13 boards against Miles.

WELCOME BACK: A familiar face will be on the visiting team bench when former Lady Statesmen assistant and current UAM Head Coach Greg Long returns to Walter Sillers Coliseum since coaching under former Head Coach Sandra Rushing. During his time at DSU, Long helped the Lady Statesmen were ranked No. 1 in the nation, made back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances, won consecutive conference championships, and had a .820 winning percentage. He helped to develop three all-Americans, seven all-region players and all-conference players, and the Preseason National Player of the Year in NCAA Division II.

KEEPING IT DOWN LOW: The Lady Statesmen lead the GSC offensive boards per game (18.3/4th NCAA) while ranking 2nd in the League in rebounds per game (48.5/4th NCAA) and rebound margin (11.4/15th NCAA) and 5th in rebounds (388/23rd NCAA). The duo of Quantesha Patterson and Zyaire Ewing are proving to be a formidable foe in the paint, averaging a combined 26.2 points and 25 rebounds per contest. Patterson leads the GSC in total rebounds (115) while leading the NCAA in rebounds per game (14.4). The Maben, Miss., native also leads the NCAA in offensive boards per game (7.0) while ranking 12th in the GSC in scoring (12.9). Ewing tops the GSC in defensive rebounds per game (7.8/10th NCAA, 2nd rebounds per game (10.6), and 3rd in rebounds (85). Ewing ranks 1st in defensive rebounds (8.5/7th NCAA), 2nd in blocked shots per game (1.88) and 3rd in blocked shots (15).   

D-FENCE: The Green-and-White climbed are 4th in the GSC in scoring defense (56.6) while ranking 1st in 3-point field goal percentage defense (25.0) and 5th in field goal percentage defense (34.0). West Alabama leads the GSC allowing 50.4 points followed by Lee (53.7) and Auburn-Montgomery (56.0). Delta State allowed 68.0 points per game through the first two games but is allowing 52.8 points per game in the six games since. The Lady Statesmen led the NCAA in 2015-16 (50.3) and 2013-14 (53.7), ranked 2nd in 2011-12 (51.4), 5th in 2014-15 (55.7), 10th in 2017-18 (56.5) and 16th in 2016-17 (57.1). Since 2011-12, the Lady Statesmen have ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense five of the last eight years.

NOTES, SIDEBARS & STORYLINES
MORE D-FENSE: In 32 quarters, the Lady Statesmen have held opponents to single digits in 11 times.  The Lady Statesmen yielded a quarter-low five points in the fourth quarter against Lane College (11.15.19).  Delta State held Miles College (12.7.19) to six points in the first quarter and seven points in the second quarter for a season-low 13 points in a half. As a team, the Lady Statesmen are 3rd in the conference in turnovers forced (20.7), and 2nd in blocked shots per game (4.3) and 4th in blocked shots (34).

PLAYING THE PERCENTAGES: Quantesha Patterson leads GSC in field goal percentage (59.7/25th NCAA), 7th in field goals attempts (97) and 9th in field goals made (39). Nia Johnson is 2nd in the GSC in field goals attempted (50), 5th in field goal made (50) and 15th in field goal percentage (40.7)

DOUBLE-DOUBLES (Career): Quantesha Patterson (12) has recorded six double-doubles in eight games which leads the GSC and 2nd nationally. 2019-20 Double-Doubles - 6: 13 pts. | 13 rebs. vs. Miles (12.7.19), 18 pts. | 16 rebs. at LeMoyne Owen (12.5), 18 pts.,  17 Rebs vs. Montevallo  (11.23); 16 pts. | 19 rebs. (Career-High)  vs. Nova Southeastern (11.9);  21 pts. | 11  rebs. vs. Lane College (11.15); 17 pts. | 13 rebounds vs. Paine (11.16); Zyaire Ewing (3): 2019-20 Double-Doubles - 1: 28 pts. (Career-High) | 15 rebs. vs. Nova  Southeastern (11.9). Kirstin Brown (2) 14 pts. 12 rebs. vs. West Alabama (11.25.19).

DROPPING DIMES: Ernesha Chatman is 3rd assists (32), 5th in assists per game (4.0) and 6th in assist/turnover ratio (1.28).

PICKING POCKETS: The Lady Statesmen are 5th in the GSC in steals (86) steals and 3rd in steals per game (10.8) steals per game. Nia Johnson ranks 2nd steals ( 25) and steals per game (3.13/28th NCAA). Ernesha Chatman is 9th in the GSC in steals per game (2.25) and 7th steals (18).

D2SIDA REGION POLL:  Delta State is ranked 3rd in this week's D2SIDA South Region Poll behind top-ranked Lee University and and Union University. Montevallo is third followed by West Georgia and Valdosta State.