Box Score NICEVILLE, Fla.—Top-seeded Delta State used a 12-1 run early in the second half to pull away from the Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs Thursday afternoon in the Gulf South Conference quarterfinals as they won a defensive struggle 56-35.

The Lady Statesmen (21-5) never trailed, but the Lady Bucs (5-22) kept the margin to single digits until the second half, when DSU guard Brooke Rhodes scored 10 points during the decisive 12-1 run that put DSU ahead 35-16 with 15:59 remaining.  Rhodes was a perfect 6-of-6 at the free throw line during the run, and Aubree Ray sank two free throws as well.

The Lady Bucs answered with an 8-0 run of their own.  Aramis Judson (Bristow, Va./Stonewall Jackson HS) started the run with a jumper.  Three straight layups from Jessica Green (Memphis, Tenn./Lausanne HS), Jasmine Ellis (Memphis, Tenn./Central HS), and Green again pulled the Lady Bucs within a 35-24 margin with 11:42 remaining, but they came no closer as DSU stretched the lead out over the final minutes.

Ellis, the Lady Bucs' lone senior, collected game-highs of 17 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks in her final college game.  Green added seven.

Denesha Henderson led the Lady Statesmen with 15 points.  Veronica Walker scored 14 with nine rebounds, and Rhodes added 11.

The Lady Bucs shot 33.3 percent (15-of-45) from the floor to DSU's 33.9 percent (19-of-56), but DSU out-rebounded the Lady Bucs 40-31, including a 17-10 edge in offensive rebounds, and forced 26 turnovers while committing 16.