CLEVELAND, Miss. — The Delta State University Women's Basketball Team (1-1) defended its home court on Tuesday afternoon, grinding out a
56–52 victory over Southern Arkansas to secure the program's first win of the 2025–26 season in front of an energetic Kids Day Crowd. The Lady Statesmen used timely perimeter shooting, key defensive stands, and a major lift from the bench to pull out the non-conference win inside a loud Sillers Coliseum.
Delta State opened the game strong, jumping out to a
17–7 lead after the first quarter by creating early fast-break chances. DSU's defense set the tone immediately, forcing six first-quarter turnovers and converting them into seven points on the other end.
Jariyah Williamson led the Lady Statesmen with
16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, delivering one of the game's top all-around performances. The junior guard controlled the tempo throughout the second half and hit one of DSU's biggest shots—a third-quarter three-pointer that halted a Lady Mulerider run and re-energized the crowd.
Sophomore guard
Daniela Gintere came off the bench to provide a major spark, finishing with
12 points, including a fast-break three and a key layup late in the second quarter that sent DSU into the break with momentum.
Olivia Allen added
10 points, knocking down two threes, including a three to give the Lady Statesmen a 51-49 lead with 16 seconds to go and hitting all four of her free throws in the final minute to clinch the win.
Delta State's bench proved to be a difference-maker, outscoring Southern Arkansas
22–13, while the Lady Statesmen also capitalized with
14 points off turnovers and
14 fast-break points.
The Lady Statesmen held Southern Arkansas to just 7 points in the first quarter and kept the Lady Muleriders off the scoreboard for long stretches thanks to strong rim protection from
Dakiya Toney, who recorded
two blocks and six rebounds.
Southern Arkansas cut the game to a one-possession margin late, but DSU's defense stepped up once again, with a block from Toney in the final seconds to seal the win.
The Lady Statesmen return to action later this week at Walter Sillers Coliseum as they will take on the Cotton Blossoms from the University of Arkansas at Monticello Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
