Kentucky State eliminated from the NCAA Regionals
The top ranked Delta State women’s basketball team (30-0) defeated Kentucky State University (19-12), 76-35, in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament Friday at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The Lady Statesmen continue their perfect season, while advancing to Saturday’s semifinals against the winner of the West Georgia versus Nova Southeastern game. The 34 points scored by KSU also established a new record for fewest points allowed by DSU in an NCAA postseason game.
The first three and a half minutes of play were scoreless for the Lady Statesmen putting the Thorobrettes out to an early 4-0 lead. The first Lady Statesmen bucket came from Kirsten McBride off the bench at the 16:28 mark, cutting the KSU lead 4-2. Bug Cooper followed her lead and added two more points to the scoreboard for the Lady Statesmen to knot the score at four apiece.
The Lady Statesmen gained their first lead of the night on a bucket from Lakira Boyd after nearly three minutes of scoreless basketball, 6-4. The Thorobrettes would never lead again.
Sheena Swanigan hit a three with just under three minutes left in the half to expand the Lady Statesmen lead to 11, the largest of the night. The Lady Statesmen went on a 5-0 run to end the half up 25-14.
The first half stats looked more like a mash report than a stat sheet. The two squads combined for 34 turnovers, while DSU out rebounded Kentucky State 26-17. Delta State held the Thorobrettes to a mere 15.4 percent from the floor on 4-of-26 shooting. The Lady Statesmen shot just 30 percent from the floor.
The Lady Statesmen were led in scoring by Lakira Boyd with six points on 2-of-4 from the floor and three rebounds. Jessica Vaughn guided Kentucky State with six points.
A phenomenal high low by Lakira Boyd and Brittani Calhoun got the second half rolling for Delta State, and what a half it turned out to be. A 15-footer from the corner by Jessica Boyd put the Lady Statesmen on a 6-0 run and out to a 31-14 lead.
Kentucky State stopped the run with a power move from forward Kiarra Morgan. The score stood at 46-21 at the 11:47 mark.
The Thorobrettes quickly hit a three, but freshman guard, Moe Bell drained a three to spark the Lady Statesmen. Delta State would go on a 7-0 run before Mattie Jones knocked down 1-of-2 from the charity stripe.
With 7:34 remaining, DSU led 55-27. The onslaught continued over the final minutes of play, as the Lady Statesmen closed out the win 76-34. DSU would outscore KSU 51-20 in the second half.
Delta State shot 45.3 percent from the floor for the game, while connecting on 58.8 percent of their shots in the second half. DSU also hit on 66.7 percent from the free throw line and 27.3 percent from three point range. The Lady Statesmen outrebounded Kentucky State 34-23 while allowing only 11-of-50 shooting from the floor for a mere 22 percent.
The 34 points allowed by Delta State established a new record for points allowed in an NCAA postseason game. The previous record was 36 set against Albany State on March 10, 1989. DSU’s 22.0 tied the record for lowest field goal percentage in a postseason game as well. The previous mark was also set against Albany State in 1989.
Jennifer Rushing and Brittani Calhoun guided the Lady Statesmen with 13 points each. Lakira Boyd contributed 12 points and four rebounds as well. Bug Cooper added six assists on the night. Kentucky State was led by Jessica Vaughn with 11 points. All SIAC Mattie Jones was held to just 5 points and freshman sensation Kiarra Morgan was held to just 6 points but added 8 rebounds.
The Lady Statesmen will return to action at Walter Sillers Coliseum, Saturday March 15 against the winner of the West Georgia versus Nova Southeastern game.