Box Score CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University Lady Statesmen (6-3, 2-1 GSC) defeated Montevallo (4-4, 2-1 GSC) on Thursday night at Sillers Coliseum, 61-59, winning their second consecutive conference game.
What looked to be a strong offensive start for the Lady Statesmen by opening the game on a 5-0 run soon saw Montevallo taking an 8-7 lead at the 5:41 mark in the first quarter. The Falcons led by as many as nine, 16-7, with 3:30 to play, but Delta State went on a 12-2 run to close out the first quarter of play, capped off by a second-chance 3-pointer from
Wakiryah Daniels for the Lady Statesmen to regain the lead 19-18.
The Falcons went 7-of-10 from 3-point range in the first half, taking a 35-30 lead at halftime. Daniels had the hot hand for the Lady Statesmen in the first 20 minutes of play, shooting 3-for-5 from the field, including two from beyond the arc.
Facing another 8-point deficit, 40-32, Delta State rallied back to take a 43-40 lead, sparked by a 11-0 run, at the 4:08 mark in the third quarter. The Lady Statesmen took a narrow 44-42 lead into the fourth quarter.
Delta State gained its largest lead of the night, 54-45, with 3:55 remaining in the game. While Montevallo chipped away at its deficit, cutting the deficit to two, 61-59, with :05 left in the game, the Lady Statesmen held on to the advantage, winning by a final 61-59.
Four Lady Statesmen scored in double figures:
Madi Kate Vuncannon (13),
Grace Watson (12),
MaKenzie Hill (10), and Daniels (10). Watson recorded her third double-double of the season and eighth of her career, putting up 12 points and 13 boards. The Lady Statesmen dominated in second-chance points, 17-8, and points in the paint, 32-18.
Up next for the Lady Statesmen is a matchup with Auburn University Montgomery on Saturday, Dec. 14. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Walter Sillers Coliseum in Cleveland. Delta State Athletics will dedicate the Box-Muse Basketball Room during halftime, while recognizing the Box and Muse families between the men's and women's games.
