Box Score GREENWOOD, Miss. -- Mississippi Valley State head coach Chico Potts has always known what Julius Francis is capable of. 

On Wednesday, the senior center showed everyone else. 

He made all five of his first half shots and finished with 14 points to help MVSU (5-13, 1-4 SWAC) capture its first SWAC victory with a 72-64 win over Southern (9-10, 5-1 SWAC), who came into the game with a unblemised conference record. 

"I'm so proud of Francis," said Potts. "He gave his all tonight and you just can't ask for anymore out of him." 

Francis scored six of Valley's first 12 points and helped the Delta Devils take a 17-point lead late in the first half. MVSU went into the locker room with a commanding 46-31 lead at halftime. 

But the Jaguars snuck back in the second half and tied the game at 60 with 5:32 left to play. 

Valley responded, however, with a 3-pointer by Anthony McDonald, who led the Delta Devils with 17 points. A layup by Jordan Washington pushed the lead to 66-60 with just over 3 minutes remaining. Then, a pair of free throws by Washington and James Currington put the icing on the cake with under 30 seconds remaining. 

Blake Ralling made all four of his attempts and finished with 14 points off the bench. 

MVSU shot 60 percent in the first half and hit 44 percent of its shots on the night. 

Calvin Godfrey led Southern with 21 points and seven rebounds. 

The Delta Devils will be back in action Saturday when they travel to face Texas Southern.