Box Score HATTIESBURG -- The Mississippi Valley State women's basketball team suffered a 76-61 loss at Southern Miss in the 25th Lady Eagle Thanksgiving Classic. 

The Devilettes (0-6) trailed by just eight points, 39-31, at halftime, but the Lady Eagles pulled away in the second half. 

DeRita Silas led Valley with 14 points off the bench, connecting on 6-of-11 shots including a pair of 3-pointers. Olivia Kennedy added 12 points for MVSU and Ashley Beals chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds. Jasmyne Sanders was just shy of a double-double with 9 points and 10 rebounds to go with a game-high three blocks.

Tamara Jones led USM with 19 points. 

Valley shot 40 percent and made 13 of 22 free throw attempts.

MVSU will face either Eastern Kentucky or Florida A&M on Saturday.