CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Lady Statesmen basketball team (12-14, 8-12 GSC) fell to the Lady Flames of Lee University (21-4, 15-4 GSC) 59-57 in a close game on Thursday night in Sillers Coliseum.
The Lady Statesmen went 6-for-12 from the field in the first quarter of play, scoring seven points on three turnovers. Delta State held the lead until Lee made a three pointer at the 3:40 mark to tie the game. Junior Olivia Allen found her hot hand at the 1:40 mark, knocking down a three to put the Lady Statesmen out front 17-10.
To start the second quarter, the Lady Statesmen came out shooting 50% from the field. DSU led the Lady Flames the entire second quarter of play to close the first half with the lead 35-26, outscoring the Lady Flames 18-12 in the second quarter. Senior Wakiryah Daniels led the Lady Statesmen in the first half with 11 points.
Coming out of the break, the Green-and-White started the third quarter of play slowly, shooting 17% from the field. The Lady Flames managed to knock down a three pointer at the 4:37 mark putting them right behind the Lady Statesmen, 37-35. Junior Martyna Czescik answered with a three pointer at the 3:05 mark putting the Lady Statesmen ahead 40-36.
To start the final quarter of play, the Green-and-White came out shooting 5-for-12 from the field. Although the Lady Flames were able to force five turnovers, Daniels answered with the and-one at the 5:25 mark, putting the Green-and-White ahead 52-46. A foul by the Lady Statesmen put the Lady Flames at the free throw line, giving them the lead 57-56 with 0:23 to go in the final quarter of play. A last-second missed layup by the Lady Statesmen ended regulation with Lee taking the win 59-57.
The Lady Statesmen were led by Daniels with 17 points and Allen with 15 points.
Up next for the Lady Statesmen is a matchup with Trevecca Nazarene University on Saturday, Feb. 22. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Walter Sillers Coliseum. Four seniors, Daniels, Czescik, McKenzie Hill, and Grace Watson, will be recognized for Senior Day between games of the doubleheader.
