Cleveland, Miss. - The Lady Statesmen returned to action against the Montevallo Falcons at Walter Sillers Coliseum on Thursday night. The Green and White were looking to bounce back from a defeat on the road against Valdosta State on January 21st. The Lady Statesmen entered the contest with a record of 7-13 and 6-10 in the conference.

The Green and White opened the contest by trading baskets with the Falcons in the first quarter. Montevallo was able to take an early lead in the first quarter, but the Lady Statesmen came surging back to end the quarter trailing by one (12-11). 

The second quarter was no different than the first quarter with both teams putting on a great defensive performance. The Falcons lead the entire second quarter but the Lady Statesmen refused to give up and kept fighting. Montevallo lead the Lady Statesmen 21-18 at the halftime break.

Delta State started the second half with a momentum boost as the made the first bucket of the quarter to make it a one-point game. The Falcons would eventually push the lead out to 33-25, but the Lady Statesmen refused to give up and eventually took the lead at the 1:30 minute mark. The Lady Statesmen would take a 42-40 lead into the final quarter.

The Lady Statesmen maintained control in the fourth quarter by only giving up 12 points to the Falcons. Delta State would score 18 points in the fourth as they connected on 10 of their 12 free throw attempts in the frame to capture the win and improve their record to 8-13 on the year and 7-10 in conference play.

Alana Smith lead the team in scoring with 16 points as Ginny Higginbotham and Grace Watson also added 12 points each. Grace Watson also lead the team in rebounds with 13 as she earned her first double-double of the season.

The Lady Statesmen will return to action at home this Saturday against Auburn Montgomery at 2:00 P.M. at Walter Sillers Coliseum.