ITTA BENA - The Mississippi Valley State Devilettes' basketball team on their 2016-17 home campaign in a massive way, breezing past the Lady Bulldogs of Tougaloo College 99-55, on the Jessie Harris Education Day.

The energy was palpable as over 300 local elementary and middle school students rocks the stands, from the Devilettes' entrance to the final buzzer. R. W. Harrison was the place to be at 11:00 a.m. on the 17^th of November.

Head Coach Jessica Kern stated, "Our first annual education day was a huge success. Thank you to the surrounding schools for their continuous support."
Kenya Hailey knocked down a three-point basket with an assist from Lauren Elliot with 9:24 on the clock. MVSU didn't look back after the initial three-points were scored. Not just an outside shooter, Hailey went inside for the layup after Christina Reed found her in scoring position.

Mississippi Valley jumped ahead 9-0, before allowing the Lady Bulldogs to get on the board with a layup. At the end of the first, MVSU was up 25-14, a 11-point advantage.
The second quarter proceeded in the same fashion, with the Devilettes capitalizing on key turnovers and offensive domination. Christina Reed found many of her teammates scoring position and gained assists. She (Reed) also caught fire as she began to make three-point baskets rain on the opposition. At halftime, Mississippi Valley led 44-24.

Reed started the third-quarter with another three-pointer, notching a 23-point lead over Tougaloo. A missed shot by the Lady Bulldogs led to Reed landing another three-pointer. The Devilettes were able to climbed up 50-24. Beals scored a beautiful layup for Mississippi Valley's 52^nd point.

When the buzzer sounded to conclude the third, MVSU held a 34-point lead at 73-39. The fourth quarter rang out with triumph for the Devilettes despite Tougaloo's attempt at a rally. Reed blazed through the competition, knocking down a career-high seven three-pointers.

Ashley Beals paced the Devilettes with 26-points, six rebounds, two steals, two assists and one block. Reed tallied 25-points, three rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block. Kenya Hailey added 10-points, three rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Alexandria Tarrant scored 10-points and nine rebounds.

"Our ladies played off the energy of the crowd and a win made it that much sweeter," said Kern.

MVSU travels to take on Baylor University on November 20 at 2:00 p.m. in Waco, Texas.