Box Score

Chico Potts postgame press conference

ITTA BENA – It was an all new cast for Mississippi Valley State Thursday night. But it was the same result the Delta Devils were accustomed to all last season.

A host of new players led by first-year head coach Chico Potts overcame a lackluster shooting night to defeat Delta State 62-59 at the Harrsion HPER Complex in its first of two exhibition games this season.

MVSU scored the first basket of the game, but didn’t regain the lead until the late in the second half on a three-pointer from Davon Usher, who gave the Delta Devil fans plenty to talk about afterwards.

The junior college transfer from Polk State College torched the Statesmen for 26 points and eight rebounds, including 5-of-11 from behind the arc. He finished 9-of-11 from the free throw line in 36 minutes of action.

DSU led by as much as nine points in the first half before going into halftime with a 32-25 advantage.

Usher’s 3-pointer with 1:59 remaining put the 56-52, but the Statesmen fought back and closed the gap to 60-59 with a 3 of its own from Jack Madgen. Usher’s free throws with five seconds remaining put the finishing touches on the game.

Julian Francis finished with 12 points (seven in the first half) and six rebounds for the Delta Devils while Darryl Marshall chipped in eight points and three assists.

Valley shot 34.5 percent (19 of 55) and hit 7-of-20 three-pointers. The Delta Devils went 17-of-22 from the free throw line.

Cornell Knight (18 points) and Terry Leake (14 points) combined to score 32 for the Statesmen, who shot 50 percent on the night.

MVSU will host Victory University on Tuesday, Nov. 6 in its final exhibition game of the season. The game is slated to begin after the MVSU and Jackson State volleyball game, which tips off at 6 p.m.