HOUSTON – Alcorn State took possession of the opening tip, however Mississippi Valley scored 15 seconds into the contest on a basket and an "and one" by Marcus Romain.
During the previous two meetings of the two teams, it was appeared we were playing ourselves because Alcorn did not bring much "Pa-zaas" to the game. Proper ball handling would be the key to Mississippi Valley winning the game during regulation. Within the first four minutes we missed eight crucial points and the team understood how important those baskets were.
With the constant calls from the audience of "put it in the hole," and "shoot it true," the Delta Devils rallied to tie the game at seven all. For every basket we made, the Braves responded with baskets. Thankfully, they missed quite a few as well.
Head Coach Andre Payne talked to Isaac Williams, before the timeout, saying, "They're trying to win just like us." No truer words have been spoken as Alcorn State muscled ahead for a four-point lead. Romain knocked down a three-pointer to once again engage the MVSU faithful. A misplaced block by the Braves sent Romain to the line for another "and one," situation.
Ta'Jay Henry tied the game (17-17) with a beautiful basket, while Latrell Love was back to assist the team with his free throwing power. With 2:04 left in the first half the Braves took the lead by two. Isaac Williams was able to make a basket on a turnover to close the gap but the Braves made an unexpected 3-pointer at the buzzer.
With the Braves taking the ball out of bounds we are given the opportunity to make back a couple much needed buckets! Henry scored and earned a trip to the charity stripe in an "and one" situation to propel the Delta Devils back into the lead; unfortunately it was short lived.
Love swung his sweat-drenched locs into the oppositions' face to avoid being blocked. Despite being unintentional, his tactics worked, he got the steal, dished it to Henry, who rushed to the basket for two.
Williams began to feel his blood turn to lava, went into "Hot as a Blaze" mode as the band cheered "Fire UP V-State!" He made a THREE from downtown. A block by Alcorn, forced the ball back into the hands of Williams, who placed it where it belonged...in the Mississippi Valley basket.
With the score now 45-39, it appears that MVSU had relaxed while the Braves continued to press because just minutes later, the Braves had snuck back into the contest. Kylan Phillips made a basket that looked as of it didn't want to go in, bouncing from one edge of the rim to the other before finally funneling down.
Jabari Alex made his point debut with a tip in. Romain taken down hard by a Braves' defender had to shake off the effects and make his baskets. At the charity stripe, Romain's shots are true as they sliced through the net with ease.
Romain transcended his normal focus and went into beast mode, dropping a three to bring his total to a whooping 22-points. In the midst of Phillips getting another basket, a jump ball was called, giving the Braves possession. With three minutes remaining, the crowd was firmly in favor of the Delta Devils.
With 53 ticks left on the clock, another jump ball was called, this one in favor of Mississippi Valley. Up by five (60-55) Phillips went to the free-throw line. His shot was unsuccessful. Alcorn made a basket and sent Phillips back to the free throw line with 35 seconds on the clock. He nailed both shots!! Alcorn went to the line, to close the gap, once more.
With an arena quiet with anticipation, Rashaan Surles went to the line, making his one of his attempts. Picture it, 19 seconds remaining in the contest; Alcorn State makes a three to come within one basket of the Delta Devils. Due to a holding call, Surles returned to the line, once again making one of his shots. When the last timeout was called with 11 seconds left, the Mean Green Marching Machine blasted Devil's Gun to the rafters, to pump up the team.
As time expired, the Valley Nation near and far celebrated Mississippi Valley's 64-61 triumph over the Braves of Alcorn.
Romain finished with 22-points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks to pace the Delta Devils. Williams pulled in a double double with 12-points and 10 rebounds. Henry and Love each tallied eight points for MVSU, with Henry adding eight rebounds to Love's four.
Payne stated, "The guys were determined to win this game! They gave everything they had and left it on the floor."
Mississippi Valley has Thursday to rest, as they will play the winner of the Prairie View/Jackson State contest on Friday, March 11 at 2:30 pm.
