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Box Score

ITTA BENA – It didn’t come easy.

But when the final horn sounded Tuesday, Mississippi Valley State was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
The Delta Devils overcame an 18-point second half deficit to defeat Victory University 89-86 at the Harrison HPER Complex in double overtime in its final exhibition game.

MVSU withstood two buzzer beater jumpers by Raphael Banal which extended the game into both overtimes.
Julius Francis’ converted two free throws in the final seconds to put the game away for the Delta Devils, who will crank up its regular season schedule Friday at Ole Miss.

Valley looked to have the game in hand in regulation when Darryl Marshall nailed a jump shot to give the Delta Devils a 74-71 lead with 33 seconds remaining. But Banal, shocked the crowd when he pulled up near the top of the arch to tie the game at 74, forcing overtime.

Then in overtime, MVSU’s Davon Usher drove to the basket and scored with less than 2 seconds on the clock. That was more than enough for Banal, who banked in his second buzzer beater of the night.

But the Eagles weren’t as fortunate in the second overtime. Matt Smith’s tip-in following a missed jumper from Usher gave the Delta Devils an 87-86 lead with 27 seconds left. Keron Jackson missed a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession for the Eagles which led to Francis’ game-sealing free throws for the Delta Devils.

For the second consecutive game, Usher paced MVSU in scoring. The junior college transfer finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists and three steals.

Four other MVSU players scored in double-figures including Smith, who had 18 points and eight rebounds. Nate Brandt (12 points, five rebounds), Darryl Marshall (14 points, six assists) and Francis (11 points, nine rebounds) each played a major role in the victory.

Victory’s Banal led all scorers with 30 points while Tyrell Hursey added 22.

MVSU will be at Ole Miss on Friday for an 8 p.m. tipoff.