ITTA BENA, Miss. - Monday's night matchup against Southern had everyone on their toes. At the half, both teams were struggling to land their baskets, shooting under 40% from the field.
Two minutes into the game both teams remained scoreless; however, a layup by Dante Scott's got the ball rolling for the Delta Devils. A hot, Jordan Evan's 19-points in 18 minutes is contributed to a tied score at the half (33). The second half was a different story as the Delta Devils fought hard to outplay the Jaguars in hopes of winning their first conference game.
Statistically, the Jaguars were stronger than the Delta Devils 14 to 4 in the paint and on the free throw line; shooting 86.7% compared to Valley's 69.2%. As a result, the Delta Devils went down 5-13 early, but shooting 4 for 9 from beyond the arc kept the Delta Devils in the game as they pulled within 5 with just over five minutes left in the first half.
After failed scoring attempts, the Delta Devils began racking up back to back and-1s pulling them within two of the Jaguars. Missed buckets and rebounds on both ends is what kept the score low and close.
Back to back Southern misses with under four minutes left in the half is what sparked energy in the R. W. Harrison Complex. Jordan Evans cooked Southern's defense to tie the game at 29, and Southern's missed three-point attempt gave Valley the opportunity to take the lead, and the crowd erupted. Scott's hustle down the court gave Valley the lead with one-minute left in the half then Evans on the next play drove to the basket with just over 20 seconds left to tie the game at 33 and end the half.
Two minutes into the second half, Dante Scott knot the game at 35 and from there, Jordan Evans' hot shooting continued. Evans provided offense for Valley in every way possible from driving aggressively or hitting long buckets from beyond the arc, which put Valley up five. Then came the battle of centers that created a scoring drought with both teams missing rebounds and baskets.
The gym was live for the majority of the second half, and with less than a minute left in the game and the game tied at 61 everyone thought that Evans would sink a game winner, but instead the game went into overtime.
Southern scored first in overtime and Valley couldn't find a response to their 7-0 run that ended the game 70-78 in favor of Southern. Evans paced MVSU with 41-points, two rebounds and two assists, while Scott added 16-points, eights rebounds, one assist and one block.
Tonight's play from the Delta Devils provided a dazzling energy that Coach Payne and the Delta Devils look to build on it as they travel to Texas to compete against Texas Southern and Prairie View this weekend.
