EVANSTON, Ill. - It was slow night in Illinois when our Delta Devils took on the Northwestern University Wildcats in the 2016-17 season opener in Evanston.
It was Marcus Romain who made the first basket of the game assisted by Rashaan Surles. It seemed to be in MVSU's favor for a while when Northwestern missed three-point attempt, after a layup attempt, allowing the Delta Devils to maintain a one-point lead. It was Isaac Williams who secured the one-point advantage on a three-pointer.
With steals from the opposing team it was time for Mississippi Valley to get control once the Wildcats were up by six. Romain's first foul sent Northwestern's Scottie Lindsey to the line to shoot two, both of which he made. After seven-points from Amos Givens and Darryl Riley the players of MVSU were still fighting in the first half.
Vasha Vaughn performance was phenomenal as he took to the court to start the season. With less than five-minutes remaining in the first half it was Romain to the rescue with a layup for the Delta Devils 21st point. It was Givens and Riley contributing until the end of the first half with the remainder of points to close out the half, 46-28.
MVSU was sluggish exiting the locker room after the break, by the first time out Romain and Williams each had three-points to Northwestern's 12.
A wide open three by the Wildcats' Gavin Skelly at just under 11 minutes in the second half, increased the Northwestern lead. Most of Mississippi Valley's points were made from the free throw line in the second half. It was Jamal Watson with the final dunk of the night from the paint.
Surles was a great defensive player this game with two blocks. Romain ended the contest with 16 points. Riley and Given both had 11-points each. The final was 94-63, in favor of the Wildcats.
