One of the greatest rivalries at any level of women’s college basketball will add another chapter on Sunday, Nov. 29, when Arkansas Tech University visits Delta State University in non-conference action at Walter Sillers Coliseum in Cleveland, Miss.
The Golden Suns and Lady Statesmen first met during the 1992-93 season. At that time, both programs were defending national champions — Arkansas Tech at the NAIA level and Delta State at the NCAA Division II level.
The rivalry grew from 1995-2011, during which time they were fellow members of the Gulf South Conference. Both sides were ranked among the top five programs in NCAA Division II history in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage for the duration of their time as GSC foes. During those 16 seasons, the two sides met with a postseason championship at stake 10 times.
The rivalry reached its crescendo during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, during which time Arkansas Tech stopped five years of frustration against Delta State by defeating the Lady Statesmen in six of eight meetings. Two of those Golden Suns’ wins came in the GSC Tournament championship game. Two others came in the NCAA Division II Tournament South Regional title contest.
After a three-year absence, the rivalry returned on Nov. 21, 2014, when Arkansas Tech defeated Delta State 72-61 at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
On Sunday, the Golden Suns can do something they have not done in almost 13 years — defeat the Lady Statesmen on their home floor.
Tech’s last victory over Delta State in Cleveland came in Joe Foley’s final regular season game as Golden Suns’ head coach — a 62-51 win on March 1, 2003. Since that night, the Lady Statesmen have won eight consecutive home games over Arkansas Tech.
#15 Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (4-0) at DSU Lady Statesmen (2-0)
When: Sunday, Nov. 29, 2 p.m.
Where: Walter Sillers Coliseum, Cleveland, Miss.
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: DSU leads 27-21
About the Golden Suns: Senior forward Fatima Adams leads the Great American Conference in scoring (24.8 points per game) and she ranks second in the league in rebounding (12.0 per game). She scored 25 points and collected eight rebounds in Arkansas Tech’s win over Delta State last season. The Golden Suns lead the Great American Conference in turnover margin (+7.25 per game). Tech has won its first four games by an average margin of 26 points per game.
About the Lady Statesmen: Senior guard Chelsey Rhodes leads the Gulf South Conference in scoring (25.5 points per game). She was limited to 11 points on 5-of-16 shooting from the field in the meeting between Tech and Delta State last year. Rhodes scored a career-high 34 points in a 59-51 Lady Statesmen victory over Harding University on Friday night. Junior guard Mary Carol Davis is a Russellville, Ark., native. She appeared in 20 games as a freshman at Arkansas Tech in 2012-13 before transferring to Delta State.
