Box Score

SEARCY — The Delta State Lady Statesmen won their seventh consecutive game, defeating the Harding Lady Bisons 71-42 the Rhodes Field House on Thursday night.

Harding (13-5, 1-5 Gulf South Conference) had not been held under 50 points since a 69-42 loss to Valdosta State in the first round in the Gulf South Conference Tournament in 2007.

Delta State (16-5, 6-0), which led the conference in scoring defense with 50.6 points allowed per game, forced the Lady Bisons to turn the ball over 20 times. The Lady Statesmen took great advantage of the Harding mistakes, outscoring Harding 25-0 in points off turnovers. Delta State committed only seven turnovers.

LeMaesha McAdory hit a three-pointer to give Delta State the lead to open the game, and the Lady Statesmen never trailed. Bug Cooper scored a jumper to put Delta State ahead 20-9 with 9:18 left in the first half, and Harding trailed by more than 10 points for the rest of the evening. Delta State led 34-18 at halftime.

In the second half, the Lady Statesmen led by as many as 30 points. McAdory led Delta State with 19 points, and Moe Bell added 13 points. Cooper had 10 points and 15 assists.

Senior Ashley Anderson scored 14 points to lead Harding. Junior Stacey Owens scored 12 points and led Harding with seven rebounds.

Harding will play Ouachita Baptist on Saturday in Arkadelphia, Ark., beginning at 5:30 p.m.