CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas -- Mississippi Valley State dug itself out of a 16-point deficit Friday at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, but the Islanders used six late free throws to seal a 75-66 win over the Delta Devils during the Corpus Christi Challenge.

The Valley rally came about largely due to the play of reserve guard Jeffrey Simmons, who had a team-high 14 points off the bench and freshman Rakwan Kelly who added a career-high 12 points and eight rebounds.

MVSU climbed back from a 16-point first half deficit after a 12-2 run highlighted by a Simmons three-pointer and five points from Jordan Washington in a two-minute stretch. By halftime, the Islanders' lead was just five points, 37-32.

The Valley rally resurfaced late in the second half after the Delta Devils erased a 12-point deficit after five straight points by Simmons and a three-pointer by Isaac Williams at the 1:37 mark.

But Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's John Jordan made all six of his free throw attempts to fend off the hard-working Delta Devils.

Valley's Isaac Williams had nine points off the bench while DeAngelo Priar and Latrell Love each chipped in eight points.

MVSU will meet North Carolina A&T at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday in the final game of the Corpus Christi Challenge.