CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University Lady Statesmen basketball team (4-2 overall) defeated Harding 64-60 at Walter Sillers Coliseum on Tuesday night behind Olivia Allen's Delta State career-high 21 points.
 
The Lady Statesmen used an offensive surge to start the game, going on an 11-3 run and ultimately closed out the first quarter with a 17-10 lead.
 
Harding's offense, coupled with DSU turnovers, in the second quarter allowed the Lady Bisons to come with one, 24-23, at the 3:55 mark. Delta State used baskets by Madi Kate Vuncannon, Allen, and Dakiya Toney to extend its lead to 33-27 going into the locker room at halftime.
 
DSU claimed an 11-point lead, its largest of the night, at the 7:55 mark in the third quarter when Allen made a driving layup, to take a commanding 40-29 lead.
 
The Lady Bisons slowly began to chip away at the deficit, tying the game at 50-50 with 7:23 to play in the game. HU gained its largest lead of the night, 55-50, with 5:51 to play.
 
Vuncannon tied the game, 60-60, at the 1:23 mark when she drained a jumper.
 
Delta State used a 9-0 run in the final 3:01 of the game to win its second straight game, defeating Harding 64-60.
 
Inside play proved crucial for Delta State, as the Lady Statesmen outscored Harding 36-28 in the paint. Vuncannon added a season-high 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting and 4-of-11 from 3-point range.
 
The Lady Statesmen open Gulf South Conference play on the road against Union University on Thursday, Dec. 5. Tipoff against the Lady Bulldogs is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.