CLEVELAND, MISS. – The Delta State University Women's Basketball Team (7-4, 5-1 GSC) will kick off the 2026 year on the road with trips to Pensacola, Fla., followed with a trip to Valdosta, Ga.
 
The Lady Statesmen will tip off this afternoon against the Argonauts from the University of West Florida. (8-4, 3-2 GSC) at 5:30 p.m. (CT) in the UWF Field House. Following that, DSU will head to Valdosta to take on the Blazers from Valdosta State University (4-7, 1-4 GSC) Sunday at 1:00 p.m. (CT).
 
The Voice of the Statesmen Michael Gross will have the call on the Statesmen Sports Network with the tip off show 30 minutes before tip-off.
 
Scouting the Lady Statesmen

• Delta State enters the new year with a 7-4 overall record and a 5-1 record in Gulf South Conference play. The Lady Statesmen look to bounce back after suffering their first home and conference loss to the Chargers from UAH on Saturday December 20.
• The back court duo of Jariyah Williamson and Olivia Allen have been the key to success for the Lady Statesmen. The duo both average 10 points per game with Williamson leading the squad with 29 assists and Allen leading the team with 23 steals.
• In the front court, Dakiya Toney has been the anchor in the paint for DSU. The Lake Village native enters this weekend averaging 9.5 points per game and pulling down 7.5 rebounds per game along with nine blocked shots this season.

Scouting the Argonauts

• West Florida enters 2026 with an 8-4 overall record and a 3-2 record in GSC play. Last time out the Argonauts held on to a 69-62 win on the road in Music City against Trevecca Nazarene.
• UWF relies on their front court led by Graduate forward Amelia Bell. The Illinois native is UWF's leading scorer and rebounder averaging 14.5 points per game and pulling down 8.2 rebounds per game.
• Against TNU, Bell had a double-double performance, scoring 16 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Senior Guard Isabel Grimes also scored double figures while shooting 50% from the field.

Scouting the Blazers

• Valdosta State is entering 2026 after a slow start to the 2025-26 season with a 4-7 overall record and a 1-4 record in conference play. The Blazers defeated the Eagles from the University of Fort Lauderdale Monday evening 107-55 in the Complex in Valdosta.
• Junior guard Erin Whalen has been leading the offensive production for the Red and Black. Whalen enters this weekend averaging near double-double numbers scoring 13.2 points per game and pulling down 9.2 rebounds per game.
• Fellow guard Aryana Hicks enters this weekend as a double-digit scorer for the Blazers. Hicks is averaging 12.6 points per game and is distributing 59 assists so far this season.