MONTICELLO – Senior Andrea Dubose sunk a lay-up as time expired in regulation to send the game into overtime, but Delta State outscored the Blossoms 8-5 in the extra period to record the 76-73 win, keeping the Lady Statesmen on top of the GSC-West Division.
 
Dubose’s lay-up at the end of regulation created a fitting 12th tie of the contest. The Blossoms (15-5, 7-2 GSC) almost did not get the chance to tie the game, but an illegal screen was called on Delta State’s Moe Bell with less than one second remaining to give UAM one final chance.
 
In the overtime period, DSU’s Bug Cooper nailed a jumper on the first possession, creating the ninth lead change of the contest and giving the Lady Statesmen (18-6, 8-1 GSC) a two-point lead, which they never relinquished. DSU grew its lead to as much as four points in the extra period.
 
Junior Nicole Lowe (Jackson, Miss.) trimmed the DSU lead to just one point with a pair of free-throws with 23 seconds remaining to give DSU a 74-73 lead. UAM was then forced to foul, which was followed by one successful free throw from Bell with 14 seconds and one from Cooper with less than a second remaining to give DSU its final 76-73 advantage.
 
One of the keys both coaches stressed in their pre-game interview was rebounding. Both coaches agreed that whichever team won the rebounding battle, would win the game. Delta State won the battle 38-29.
 
The Blossoms were led by junior Monica Perkins-Miller with 17 points and 11 rebounds, marking her seventh double-double of the season and second straight.
 
Also reaching double digits was freshman Taylor Clark (Searcy, Ark.) with 15 points and Lowe with 11 points. Delta State was led by Bug Cooper’s game-high 22 points. Bell and Veronica Walker also reached double-digits with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
 
The Blossoms end their six-game winning streak with the loss, but remain in second place in the GSC-West, while Delta State takes sole possession of first place.
 
UAM continues GSC play Saturday, February 14 in Arkadelphia against Ouachita Baptist for a 3 p.m. tip-off. OBU is the only team to beat Delta State this year in GSC games.