PINE BLUFF – (Men's Basketball) Mississippi Valley State opened Southwestern Athletic Conference play at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The Golden Lions were able to secure the win in the second half, taking the contest 105-91.

Mississippi Valley was able to maintain control in the opening 20-minutes, taking a 44-41 lead into the break.

Pine Bluff took the first shot, missed and Ta'Jay Henry was there to pull down the defensive rebound. Isaac Williams took matters into his own hands – literally, scoring a three-pointer with 19:26 remaining in the opening half. Darrell Riley was credited with the assist. UAPB responded with a jumper at 19:09 to come within one of the Delta Devils. Williams' hands were hot as he landed another three for Mississippi Valley, moving the score to 6-2. Back-to-back baskets by the Golden Lions knotted the score at six with 17:49 on the clock. Henry landed an in-the-paint layup to break the tie in favor of MVSU. There were bursts of actions and periods of the half the ball was exchanged several times.

In the second half, Mississippi Valley struggled to gain their bearings offensively as they were outpaced 64-47. Pine Bluff scored the first basket of the final half, closing the point differential to one, in favor of the Delta Devils. A jumper by UAPB put them up by one with a score of 45-44. The Delta Devils went on a brilliant run, however the Golden Lions rallied back to regain the lead and the contest.

Williams paced Mississippi Valley with 23-points, one rebound and one steal, while Riley added 14-points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Rashaan Surles tallied 13-points, three rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal. Henry led the team in rebounds with eight.

The Delta Devils will be back in action on Saturday, January 7 at 4:00 p.m. when they return home to host the Bulldogs of Alabama A & M University.