ITTA BENA, MS (January 28, 2019) – After a strong start defensively, the Mississippi Valley State women's basketball team fell 68-50, to Texas Southern in the RW Harrison Complex Monday evening. Senior LaKendra Bassett filled the stat sheet for the Devilettes registering eight points, nine rebounds with six steals.
Coming into the matchup Texas Southern (8-10, 4-3) led the conference in three-pointers, and success beyond the arc was a part of the winning game plan. However, the Devilettes (3-15, 2-5) were active early defending the Lady Tigers and forcing them to work for every basket.
The Devilettes controlled the momentum of the first half of play but went into halftime trailing TSU, 32-31. Senior Desiray Mosley and freshman Sydnie Ward each scored seven points to lead the Devilettes scoring. Energy and fearfulness are two words to describe the Devilettes in the first half despite shooting 12-of-34 (35.3 percent) from the field, 3-of-8 (37.5 percent) from three-point territory, and 4-of-8 (50 percent) from the free-throw line. Early foul trouble plagued the Lady Tigers early, and the Devilettes capitalized with their largest lead of the half (31-26) on a free throw by senior Kristy Parker.
Mosely's three-pointer at the beginning of the second half and Parker's jumper at the 3:16 mark, were the only made field goals by the Devilettes in the third period. TSU made 7-of-17 shot attempts in the quarter and opened a 12-point advantage with 1:28 remaining. Parker made a pair of free throws in the final seconds as MVSU went into the fourth quarter down 48-39.
In a game of runs, a scoring slump would ultimately decide the game for the Devilettes. Missed opportunities at the free throw line in the second half were detrimental for the Delta Devils. Texas Southern outscored the Devilettes 36-19, with the Devilettes shooting just 5-for-26 in the second half. Despite frustrations, the Devilettes were still tenacious on defense causing deflections and forcing shot clock violations to come within 11 (58-47) with 1:41 left in regulation. In the final minute, TSU made six free-throws to ice the game, 68-50.
On the night, the Devilettes shot 17-of-20 (28.3 percent) from the field, 4-of-18 (22.2) from three-point land, and 12-of-22 (54.5 percent) from the free throw line. Scoring efforts were led by Mosley's 14 points, Parker's nine points, and Bassett's eight points. MVSU produced their lowest field goal percentage of the season (28.3 percent) and recorded only six assists against the Lady Tigers.
TSU's Niya Mitchell notched a double-double scoring 19 points with 14 rebounds while Olivia Cunningham netted 20 points and Isis Lane grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Devilettes will begin a four-game road trip, starting with rival Jackson State on Saturday, February 2 at 2:00 p.m.
Post Game Quotes
MVSU Head Coach Ashley Walker-Johnson
Opening Statement…
"We didn't play a complete game … We played a solid first half and then we were non-existent in the second half. That is something we are continuing to struggle with. Basketball is a game of runs, quarters, halves, and until we are able to put a complete game together, we are going to continue to struggle..."
On what contributed to a good first half, but a lax second half…
"If I knew, we probably wouldn't be in this situation. I have no clue to be honest with you. We come out, and I don't know if we thought the game was over. I don't know if we think we can come out lackadaisical. If I had a clue, we wouldn't be 2-5 in the conference, and that is what I am searching for right now. It is extremely frustrating because you want the best for your kids."
On Texas Southern crashing the boards…
"They shot 50 percent... They shot extremely well. They didn't against Pine Bluff, so go figure, that's what happens… You shoot poorly one night, then come in the next night and shoot well. We got offensive rebounds because we missed. We shot 35 percent from the field, they shot 50, so there aren't a lot of offensive rebounds for them to get. The good thing is that we were aggressive on the glass on our end, and that's something we have struggled with. Again, I want to say we were up by six rebounds, and then we finished 46-33. It goes back to not playing complete games.
Senior Guard Desiray Mosley
On leading the team in scoring…
"It's really just a team effort."
Senior Guard LaKendra Bassett
On leading the team in rebounds, and trying to bring the offense to the same level as defense…
"Coach preaches that it is always defense first, and the offense will show itself… I just put myself in position to get the rebound, as well as to steal the ball.
