JACKSON, Miss. (February 2, 2019) – Senior Dante Scott exploded for a season-high 28 points with 21 coming in the second half, but Mississippi Valley State (3-19, 1-7) dropped a thriller to rival Jackson State (8-13, 5-3) 61-57, Saturday evening. The Delta Devils blocked a season-best six shots and tied a season-low committing eight turnovers.

Scott was 10-for-16 from the field, 3-for-5 from three-point land and a perfect 5-for-5 on free-throws. Senior Jordan Evans scored all 13 of his points in the first half and made three three-pointers for MVSU. Senior Emmanuel Ejeh grabbed his fifth double-digit rebounding effort finishing with 10 points and blocked three shots. Senior Tereke Eckwood led the Delta Devils with three assists and junior Marcus Mitchell had four points, four rebounds and two steals off the bench.

In an exciting battle between the Delta Devils and the Tigers neither team led by more than five points throughout the contest. In the second half, MVSU put the ball in the hands of Scott where he scored 21 of his game-high 28 points on 7-of-11 made field goals. 

A pair of free-throws by the JSU put them ahead 54-52 with 3:42 to go. Scott came down the lane on the ensuing possession drew a foul and then made a pair of free-throws to tie things back up at 54. A crucial shot from downtown by JSU's Jontrell Walker stretched their lead to 58-54 with 2:26 on the clock. Scott was unstoppable in the second half hitting another jumper in the lane cutting the deficit to two, 58-56. With 26-seconds left, Ejeh was fouled on a defensive rebound and then went to the free-throw line where he converted 1-of-2 attempts making it 58-57. A quick foul by MVSU sent Walker back to the charity stripe and he made both free-throws (60-57) with 14-seconds.

The Delta Devils took a timeout and drew up a potential game-tying play trying to send the game into overtime. MVSU's three-pointer missed and JSU held on for a 61-57 victory.

Chris Howell led Jackson State with 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Walker added 15 points and Jayveous McKinnis had nine rebounds.

MVSU finished the game shooting 36 percent (20-55) from the field, 37 percent (6-16) from three-point range and 64 percent (111-17) from the line.

Up next for the Delta Devils is a nationally televised matchup on ESPNU with Grambling State on Monday, Feb. 4 in Ruston, La.