ITTA BENA, Miss. (January 26, 2019) – Mississippi Valley State women's basketball finished with a trio scoring in double-figures in a 75-65 setback to Prairie View Saturday afternoon in the RW Harrison Complex. Senior LaKendra Bassett had 18 points, six rebounds and four assists leading the Devilettes while senior Desiray Mosley recorded 17 points, five rebounds and two steals.
The Devilettes (3-14, 2-4 SWAC) made 20 free-throws and shot 80 percent from the line, both were their second largest totals of the season. Freshman Sydnie Ward carried the MVSU bench posting 13 points converting a perfect 8-of-8 free-throws. The Devilettes fell behind early with the Lady Panthers (7-9, 4-1 SWAC) hitting 8-of-14 shots from the field compared to 4-of-14 made field goals by MVSU in the first period.
The shooting woes continued in the second period for MVSU and by the end of the quarter PVAMU regained their double-digit lead 37-26. The Panthers made 15-of-28 field goals (53 percent), 3-of-7 (42 percent) three-point attempts and 4-of-6 (66 percent) free-throws while the Devilettes were held to 9-of-27 (33 percent) made shots from the field, 2-of-8 (25 percent) three-pointers and 6-of-7 (85 percent) free throws. Mosley scored nine points and Bassett added eight in the first half.
MVSU increased their defensive pressure holding PVAMU to three made field goals in the third, but the Lady Panthers went to the charity stripe 17 times making 13. In the fourth period, Bassett trimmed the deficit to single digits with five minutes left. She had eight points in the quarter and Ward chipped in seven points.
A pair of free-throws by Ward with 2:55 left brought it to 63-57. Trailing by six with under a minute, the Lady Panthers went to the charity stripe where Shala Dobbins converted a pair of free throws. PVAMU remained solid and stretched their lead back to double-digits for a 75-65 victory.
MVSU is on a three-game skid and will look to bounce back on Monday, Jan. 28 against Texas Southern at home.
Postgame Quotes
MVSU Head Coach Ashley Walker-Johnson
Opening Statement…
"We let another one get away. Thus far, we haven't let anyone just come in and beat us. We beat ourselves. We are still in the process of trying to learn how to play through, and we are not there yet. Once we have everyone on board, believing in the process, and believing in what it is that we are trying to achieve, I think we'll be okay. We're just not there yet."
On areas that are of most concern…
"Rebounding… Defense is not our main concern. Sometimes, we struggle offensively. I still don't think we are disciplined. In the first half, I think we had too many turnovers that were self-inflicted. They scored 17 points off our turnovers. If you take that away, then we're up, because they weren't able to score really at half court. But, we're still undisciplined, and that's been a huge struggle for us."
On coming down the stretch, losing in rebounds, and playing without Bonner…
"I mean, really, it's the same, because these two (LaKendra Bassett & Desiray Mosley) are my leading rebounders. If you check Makayla's numbers, she doesn't average much. So, again, if everyone would just box out, and not allow second-chance opportunities. We have been playing small now for basically three games because Makayla didn't play much in the Alcorn game. Makayla has been the focal point last year, and everyone around her was small. She has been the focal point early. Yes, we were missing her inside, but we're getting it from other people. So, again, if we are disciplined, we will be okay, and we are just not that disciplined. Second chance opportunities is a problem. Not really tonight. They had 20 points off turnovers. So, if we are able to be disciplined and take care of the ball, then the 20 points off turnovers wouldn't happen, and then it is a totally different ballgame.
Senior Guard LaKendra Bassett
On falling down by 10, and fighting back into the ballgame…
"One thing I can credit this team on is when we are down, we fight. That is what we do, so I credit my team for that, and I love them for that. We just have to build and keep believing in the process that she (Coach Walker-Johnson) is trying to show us.
Senior Guard Desiray Mosley
On showing her toughness, and taking the most charges…
"I don't think about it. If we need it for our team, I'm going to step up and take it. I think everybody else can step up, but they don't want to be hit."
