CLEVELAND, Miss. – A tough third quarter proved costly for the University of West Alabama women's basketball team in a 74-58 loss to Delta State on Saturday at Walter Sillers Coliseum.

The Tigers (3-18, 3-14 GSC) struggled offensively in the second and third quarters, allowing the Statesmen (12-12, 8-9 GSC) to build a commanding lead.  

Kaedre Denson led UWA with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting while adding nine rebounds. Callie Cowan scored 12 points, hitting eight of her nine free-throw attempts, and Kendall Lacoste contributed 11 points, including two three-pointers. Kiona McCallister also reached double figures with 10 points.  

West Alabama trailed by four after the first quarter (18-14) but struggled in the second, managing just 10 points while Delta State extended its lead to 33-24 at halftime. The Statesmen took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 21-9 to push their advantage to 54-33. UWA responded with a strong fourth-quarter effort, scoring 25 points, but the deficit was too large to overcome.  

Delta State had a balanced scoring attack, led by Wakiryah Daniels with 16 points, while MaKenzie Hill and Olivia Allen each added 12. The Statesmen shot 45.6% from the field and outscored UWA 38-30 in the paint.  

West Alabama will return home to Pruitt Hall on Thursday, Feb. 13, to take on Union at 5 p.m.