CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Delta State University Women's Basketball Team is back in town for a two-game home slate this weekend as they host the University of West Alabama and the University of Alabama-Huntsville.
 
The Lady Statesmen will host the Tigers from West Alabama tomorrow evening at 5:30 p.m. (CT) fans are encouraged to wear an ugly Christmas sweater. DSU will finish up the weekend with the "Selfies with Santa game," against the Chargers from UAH Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. (CT).
 
The Voice of the Statesmen Michael Gross will have the call for the Thursday evening double header. Braden Treaster will be on the call for the Saturday afternoon double header both being on the Statesmen Sports Network and the FloCollege network.
 
Scouting the Lady Statesmen

• The Lady Statesmen return to Walter Sillers Coliseum for the final time in 2025 as they are off to a 4-0 start in conference play. DSU won their first road contest of the season as they went 2-0 with dominant wins over Montevallo 65-49 and AUM 64-48.
• Delta State's experience in the back court has been a huge factor in the 4-0 start in conference play. Senior guard Olivia Allen has played well on both sides of the ball. The Batesville, Ark., native has averaged 13 points per game in conference play and has two steals per game in DSU's 4-0 start in GSC Play.  Allen shined in DSU's 65-49 win at Montevallo with 15 points and six rebounds.
• Senior Forward Dakiya Toney is coming off a big weekend in the state of Alabama. Toney was consistent scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds in each win this past weekend. Last time in Sillers, the Lake Village native posted her second double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 boards.

Scouting the Tigers

• West Alabama is off to a 4-3 overall start and a 2-2 record in GSC play. Currently, the Tigers are on a two-game winning streak after defeating Lee 62-56 and Trevecca Nazarene 64-60 last week in Livingston.
• The Tigers are led by two transfers from GSC foe UAH in Bellah Machen and Haley Nichols. Machen is the current leading scorer for UWA averaging 16.3 points per game. Nichols is the glass cleaner for UWA averaging 8.3 rebounds per game.
• Last time out, Nichols was a force for the Tigers in their 64-60 win against Trevecca Nazarene last Saturday afternoon. The Indiana native logged in a double-double scoring 18 points and grabbing 14 rebounds along with dishing six assists.

Scouting the Chargers

• UAH is the other team in the GSC with an unblemished 4-0 conference record entering this weekend as they travel to the Magnolia State to take on MC then Delta State
• The Chargers are led by Preseason All-GSC Guard in Lili Wiken. The Nolensville, Tenn., native leads all scorers on the UAH roster and in the conference as she currently averages 21.9 points per game so far this season.
• Last weekend, UAH also had a dominant 2-0 weekend in Huntsville with wins over Lee 68-51, and Trevecca 80-61. Last time out, the Chargers had four players score double digits in their 68-51 win against Lee. Wiken led the way with 16 points and eight rebounds as the Chargers forced 19 turnovers on the defensive end.