CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Lady Statesmen basketball team (11-8, 7-6 GSC) fell to No. 20 Union University (17-3, 12-1 GSC) on Saturday afternoon at Sillers Coliseum. DSU shot 50% from the field in the 71-67 loss to the Lady Bulldogs.
Delta State started the first quarter on 7-0 run, leading 25-21 over the Lady Bulldogs, shooting 9-12 from the field. The Green-and-White scored six points on three turnovers.
To start the second quarter of play, the Lady Statesmen came out hot, shooting an astounding 80% from the field. DSU dominated on the defensive end only allowing three three-pointers. Despite the Lady Bulldogs forcing seven turnovers, Madi Kate Vucannon answered with a big shot, knocking down a three at the 3:35 mark, extending the DSU lead to 38-30. The sophomore led the Lady Statesmen in the first half with 11 points. Olivia Allen put the Lady Statesmen out front, 42-36, with a layup right before the buzzer.
Coming out of the break, the Green-and-White were off to a slow start only shooting 39% from the field. Senior Dakiya Toney got the ball rolling for the Lady Statesmen with a strong and-one play. The Lady Bulldogs sparked a 9-0 run, taking their first lead of the game, 53-51, at the 3:36 mark in the third quarter.
The Lady Statesmen started the final quarter of play with a big steal and a bucket on the other end.Two free throws from senior Martyna Czescik at the 6:00 minute mark closed the gap, putting Delta State right behind the Lady Bulldogs 58-62. Makenzie Hill knocked down a crucial three pointer at the 0:37 mark, for DSU to trail the Bulldogs 65-69.
The deficit was too much to overcome, as Delta State fell 71-67
Toney led the Lady Statesmen with a career-high 15 points. Trailing close behind was Grace Watson with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double. Czescik and Vucannon added 11 points each.
Delta State will continue conference play, as they hit the road to take on the Lady Warhawks of Auburn Montgomery on Thursday, Jan. 30. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m from the Auburn Montgomery Athletics Complex.
