Basketball Finishes Regular Season Against Delta State
After two intense rivalry games for the Choctaws, women’s basketball will move into the postseason triumphant.
In a rivalry that dates all the way back to 1937, the Choctaws and the Delta State Statesmen squared off in two contests that saw the Lady Choctaws prevail and the men’s team fall by scores of 60-48 and 93-77, respectively.
On the men’s side, it was a contest that saw Delta State shoot lights out from 3 point range. The Statesmen took a commanding 16 point lead in the first half, off the back of a 10 for 19 performance from 3 point land and a 50% overall field goal percentage. Totalling up 44 points, the Statesmen not only had it going offensively, but also limited the Choctaws to just 9 field goals in the first half.
The Choctaws responded in the second half, but it was too little too late. The Delta State offense continued to roll, putting up 49 points in the second half on 59% shooting. The Choctaw offense showed improvement in the second half with a 64% shooting performance, and Rashad Bolden and Tremaine Dixon had solid showings offensively – but defensively, the team could not contain the Statesmen.
“We dug ourselves into a hole in the first half,” Head Coach Randy Bolden said. “Looking at the numbers, it was an even second half, but we dug ourselves a hole in the first half and we couldn’t get back. They’ve got a really good team, and they do a good job of spreading you out defensively and making defenders over commit, and when that happens they make you pay with the three point shot, and they were making them tonight.”
The Choctaws had only one senior on the roster this year, Tyshun Briscoe, speaking to the youth of the team. Despite the Choctaws not getting the win on his senior night, Briscoe put up 11 points and 2 assists to finish off an impressive collegiate career.
“We valued his leadership and just his everyday approach,” Bolden said. “He’s not a loud guy, he’s going to speak with his action, and we’re going to miss him.”
The Choctaws finished the regular season with a conference record of 4-18, missing the GSC tournament. However, the season saw flashes of a young core that has the potential to turn the program around next year.
For the Lady Choctaws, it’s a different story. They got the job done against Delta State in an important game for the team: the Lady Choctaws both avenged their loss to Delta State earlier in the season and entered the GSC tournament with a win. In a close game, the Choctaws pulled away off the back of a strong defensive effort in the third and fourth quarters, limiting Delta State to just 20 points in the second half.
The player of the game, perhaps, was Amelia Bell. The junior from Illinois put up 14 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists to help the Choctaws secure the win.
“Defense wins games, and I think Amelia and Sky [Vaughn] showed that four years in a program and the pride they play with wins games,” Head Coach Greg Long said. “We’ve made the tournament three out of the four years that they’ve been here, and that’s a great testament to them.”
“Ending the season with a win is always special, especially against a rival,” junior Karly Ivy said. “This game was even more special for the seniors. Even though I couldn’t be out there, seeing my team battle and end up on top meant everything.”
Ivy was a preseason All-GSC selection who had a season-ending injury last fall. The team, however, rallied in spite of her absence and made the GSC tournament.
“This team has played with so much heart all season,” Ivy said. “Through every up and down, their resilience has been incredible to watch.”
Heading into the tournament, the Lady Choctaws have played each of the top three teams in extremely close games in the second half of the season. Ivy believes this game could give them exactly what they need heading into a first round matchup against Lee.
“This win gives us the momentum we need going into the tournament,” Ivy said. “We have proven that we can compete with the toughest teams in this conference, and that gives us a lot of confidence moving forward. When we play together and stay locked in, we put ourselves in a great spot to win. If we bring this same energy and focus, we have a great chance to be competitive in the GSC tournament, and make a strong run.”
The Lady Choctaws will begin GSC tournament play in Cleveland, Tennessee on March 4 at 5 p.m. with a first round matchup against Lee University.
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