ITTA BENA -- Davon Usher had a game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds but it wasn't enough to propel his Mississippi Valley State team to a win Monday over Alabama State at the Harrison HPER Complex.

MVSU (1-12, 1-2 SWAC) cut the Hornets' lead to three points with 53 seconds left on a jumper by Usher. But Alabama State (5-12, 3-1 SWAC) held on for the victory after Usher's three-point shot to tie the game with 4 seconds left rimmed out.

It marked the second straight game the junior guard has scored 27 and the fourth time this season he has eclisped the 20-point mark. Usher was the only Valley player in double-figures while Matt Smith added nine points off the bench.

Joshua Freelove (16 points) was one of three players to score in double-figures for the Hornets while Phillip Crawford (15) and Shawntez Patterson (13) contributed as well.

ASU led by as much as 11 points in the first half, but fought back in the final 20 minutes. MVSU went on a 15-4 run to start the second half and took a 40-39 lead with 15:20 on the clock.

The Delta Devils will be on the road at Alcorn State on Saturday for a 5 p.m. tipoff.