ITTA BENA, MS (January 28, 2019) – Mississippi Valley State men's basketball team came up just short in a heartbreaking loss to Texas Southern 65-62, Monday night in the Harrison HPER Complex. Feeding off the energy the players exuded, the gym was loud and involved through the final seconds of the ball game. Yet, the home crowd and a 10- point lead was not enough to lift the Delta Devils (3-18, 1-6) past the Tigers (9-11, 4-3).

The first half was all in favor of the Delta Devils with eight players contributing offensively. Senior Dante Scott hit a three-pointer and then senior LaCurtis Allen's jumper pushed the MVSU advantage to nine, 21-12 at the 11:26 mark. The Delta Devils also had more points in the paint (16-10), more second-chance opportunities (6-3), and fewer turnovers (11-4) than the Tigers. In the first half, MVSU shot 14-of-36 (38.9 percent) from the field, 2-of-8 (25 percent) from beyond the arc, and 6-of-10 (60 percent) from the free throw line. With the largest lead being nine midway through the half, the Delta Devils took a 36-30 lead over the Tigers into halftime.

MVSU allowed Texas Southern to chip away in the second half, which put the Delta Devils in a tight position. However, an offensive rebound and put back by junior Torico Simmons followed by a steal and fast-break layup by Scott tied the game at 54 with just over seven minutes left. Then the Delta Devils missed four straight opportunities to put points on the board following a media timeout. TSU then responded by going on a 5-0 run with 1:28 left in regulation. MVSU turned to senior Jordan Evans who delivered with a layup bringing the Delta Devils to within a 61-58 margin. MVSU was able to pull within one (63-62) before TSU sealed the deal at the free throw line.

Overall, the Delta Devils were 24-of-71 (33.8 percent) from the field, 2-of-16 (12.5 percent) on three-pointers, and 12-of-19 (63.2 percent) from the free throw line. Despite having advantages in points off turnovers (19-6) and in second-chance points (10-5), the Delta Devils came up short to Texas Southern, 65-62. Two Delta Devils finished in double-figures; Gregory Jones-Rollins (12) and Dante Scott (12) who also added six rebounds. Senior Emmanuel Ejeh led the rebounding efforts with 15 and scored nine points. The MVSU bench combined for 31 points in the loss.

Jeremy Combs led the Tigers with 18 points, Eden Ewing finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds while Tyrik Armstrong had 15 points.

The Delta Devils will look to bounce back on the road at Jackson State on Saturday, Feb. 2 as they embark on a four-game road trip.

Head Coach Andre Payne
Opening Comments…
"I thought we played a great first half, and I thought we came out in the second half with a spark. That's what I challenged the guys to do was to come out the first five minutes with a spark, and we did. We gave up an eight to 10-point lead too quickly, and allowed them to take the lead, but nevertheless, we fought our way back in it, and tied it up. At the end of the ball game, we did not make the big plays when we needed to make them. They (Texas Southern) made the big plays… They made the double clutch three-pointer at the shot clock buzzer. They made every free throw that they needed to make and we just failed to make the big plays. It's as simple as that. At the end of ball games, you have to be able to make those big plays in order to win…"

On the last possession with 7 seconds left…
"The discussion in the huddle was that I told the guys 'we can get a two if it is quick and then, I told them after the game in the locker room "I am sorry" and "should've been more specific". Dante did what I said to do, and that was to get the two, you can score within three, maybe four seconds, and still, you foul and enough time to still get a good look at it. But, we had the opportunity to shoot the three. So, it's one of those things where I have to do a better job of communicating to them all the details because it's a lot going on. You know, we wanted the three to tie, if we could've gotten the two within two or three seconds, we would've taken that too, and then try to steal the ball, because they were a little jittery taking the ball out, we figured we could get a steal too."

On outplaying Texas Southern in every phase of the ballgame except for points scored…
"We just couldn't get the win… The simple fact remains that we just could not make the big play at the end. There are times at the end where they would take the ball out and we would tip it. I think we could've tied the ballgame if we had gotten the steal. We had a couple guys take big shots, but we just couldn't knock down the shots."

On four straight road games coming up…
"We just have to take it one game at a time. We're not scared of anybody. They better be scared of us, because we've got the team that can win this thing. We know we got it! All we've got to do now is go out and show it for 40 minutes! There is no coach in this conference that I believe can out coach me. And there is no team on the sidelines that has more talent than these guys that I have! We just have to perform for 40 minutes…"

Senior Center Emmanuel Ejeh
On having an outstanding night…
"I was just trying to play hard… Coach emphasized that I don't play hard anymore… So I was just trying to play hard, to be sure I did whatever it took to try and win the ballgame. It came down to the end, but we lost."

Senior Guard Dante Scott
On if the Alabama State loss is still affecting the team…
"I think if we would've gotten that win, we would've won the rest of these games. But I don't think it is holding us back. It is in the past. We've just got to keep moving forward."