The Delta State University Women’s Basketball Team ranked 4th in the NCAA Division II standings released on March 8.
The Lady Statesmen finished the South Regional of the NCAA Division II Tournament with an overall record of 28-4. Delta State lost in the South Regional Title to No. 1 ranked Arkansas Tech.
The Lady Statesmen’s Season
The Lady Statesmen have had a successful run at the NCAA Division II Championships, however their recent loss to No. 1 ranked Arkansas Tech stopped them from advancing further. The loss to Arkansas Tech cost them the South Regional title and led to the end of their season.
This is unfortunately the second-straight year that the Golden Suns from Arkansas Tech have defeated the Lady Statesmen in the NCAA South Region Tournament.
Delta State went seven minutes without scoring in the first half, while Tech built a 19-point lead. Delta State also struggled getting boards and getting the ball inside, with Tech out-rebounding them 17-10 in the first half.
The overall season for Delta State has seen both blow outs and close wins, as well as close losses showing that they have the ability to handle pressure and take care of games. Head Coach Sandra Rushing leads the Lady Statesmen but relies on Veronica Walker and Sarita “Bug” Cooper to get the team involved and win.
About The Team
Head Coach Sandra Rushing is in her ninth season at Delta State. In her tenure at the university she has made it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for five-straight seasons, the NCAA South Regional Championships for five-straight seasons, and were GSC Champs for five-straight seasons as well. In her days as a player, Rushing played at the University of Alabama where she holds the all-time Crimson Tide record for free-throw percentage and was named an Academic All-SEC Selection all four years at UA.
Junior Veronica Walker was named this season’s South Region Player of the Year and Daktronics All-South Region First Team. This is Walker’s second career first team selection. Walker was also named the CellularSouth Gillom Trophy recipient.
This award is given to the state’s top collegiate player. Walker averages 18.4 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, and 2.4 blocks per game. She also has over 1,600 career points and 194 career blocks. Senior Sarita “Bug” Cooper was named to the All-South Region Second Team. Before entering this season, Cooper held the Delta State career assists record with 684 and 175 points shy of the 1,000-career points mark. This season she is averaging 8.2 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, and 8.9 assists per game.
About The School
Delta State University is located in Cleveland, MS and offers a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum to over 4,000 students. There are 12 baccalaureate degrees in 38 majors, 9 master’s degrees, an Educational Specialist degree, and Doctor of Education degree. Delta State competes in 13 intercollegiate sports and is the only university in the state with a swimming and diving program.
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