ITTA BENA, Miss. (Men's Basketball) – The Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils shifted into overdrive to clinch a thrilling victory over the Alabama State University Hornets 73-70. Isaac Williams is on the threshold of reaching 1000 career points, he is currently 87 points away.
Four seconds into the contest, Reginald Gee landed a three-point basket for Alabama State. Amir Warnock put up a layup to increase the Hornet lead to 5-0. With 19:06 remaining, Marcus Romain launched a beautiful ball for three-points for the Delta Devils. With a series of turnovers and missed shots by both teams, the score remained at 5-3 until Williams pushed forward for a layup, to tie the contest. A fastbreak layup by Romain lifted the Delta Devils to a 7-5 lead.
The contest began to heat up as both teams exchanged a barrage of brilliant baskets. With 3:58 remaining in the half, Jamal Watson tipped the ball into the goal to bring MVSU within four of ASU. TaJay Henry made a layup (in the paint) at the buzzer to end the half 30-28, in favor of the Hornets.
The second started off chilly for both teams, as the first points of the half were scored at the 18:58 mark by Alabama State's Warnock. Romain got into the scoring mode by making a three to begin the shift in momentum. On the three, Romain was also fouled on the play. He went to the line for an- and-one situation, where he made the shot to tie the ballgame. Reginald Gee scored to a jumper to break the tie in Alabama State's favor. With 6:45 remaining, MVSU held a 58-53 lead over ASU.
The two teams exploded as they headed toward the one-minute mark. With 40 ticks remaining the Delta Devils were clinging to a three-point lead (71-68). With six seconds remaining in the contest, the Hornets scored their final basket, however the Delta Devils emerged as the victors.
Romain finished with 28-points, 10-rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal. Kylan Phillips tallied 12-points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Williams added nine points, three rebounds and one assist.
Mississippi Valley will be back in action when they travel to Lorman, Mississippi, to take on Alcorn State University on Saturday, January 14 at 5:50 p.m.
