Women's Basketball | 12/13/2021 5:13:00 PM
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Mississippi Valley State University women's basketball program narrowly missed out on its first victory of the season in an overtime defeat to Northwestern State on Saturday and will look to pick it up on the road at Arkansas State Tuesday evening.
What You Need to Know
- Time and Date: Tuesday, December 14 (7 p.m.)
- Records: Mississippi Valley State (0-7, 0-0 SWAC) | Arkansas State (4-6, 0-0 Sun Belt)
- Location: Jonesboro, Arkansas – First National Bank Arena
- Series History: Arkansas State Leads 17-3
- Last Meeting: December 13, 2018 | Arkansas State 60, Mississippi Valley State 57 | Jonesboro, Arkansas (First National Bank Arena)
- Winning Streak: Arkansas State (W3) | Mississippi Valley State's Last Win: November 24, 1997 (80-76)
Mississippi Valley State Overview
The Green and White clad Devilettes have been a relentless defensive force this season, slotting 13th in the country for turnovers forced per game (23.29) and the second-best turnover margin in the SWAC (3.00) thanks to winning the turnover battle in six of its seven contests.
Coach Walker-Johnson's bunch has also done well on three-pointers and free throw percentage, ranking second and third in the league at 7.0 a night and 70.1, respectively.
Three different MVSU student-athletes have fronted the turnover machine as Mikayla Etienne tops the conference at 2.57 takeaways per game while both Zakiya Mahoney and Ronni Williams both rank third at 2.00 steals a night.
Mahoney has been the best scorer for the ladies from Itta Bena with a 13.9-point average (4th in SWAC), Williams is its best assister at 3.7 (2nd in SWAC), Sarah Moore claims top rebounder status with 8.0 (4th in SWAC), and Annya Moss is the best shot blocker at 1.17 (7th in SWAC).
Kerrigan Johnson could investigate a career in the military once her playing career is over as she is a cold-blooded assassin from deep. She is atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference by bombing 2.29 triples through the net a night while trailing only Prairie View's Diana Rosenthal (41.5) in three-point percentage with a 40% success rate.
Scouting The Opponent: Arkansas State Red Wolves
A-State has struggled of late after a 4-2 start, dropping its past four to Oral Roberts (81-62), Abilene Christian (81-69), Northwestern State (80-76), and Utah State (66-65).
The Red Wolves excel at drawing fouls and getting to the charity stripe as they have attempted the 13th-most free throws in the nation but is converting at only a 69.1% clip.
ASU is also one of the higher scoring offenses in the country at 77.9 points per ballgame courtesy of 67 three-pointers on the campaign plus a league-high 31.9 three-point percentage.
Jireh Washington was expected to be a breakout player for the Red and Black after being named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team but has been limited to just six contests where she's averaged 8.3 points, 1.7 steals, 1.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists when she's been able to participate.
Trinitee Jackson has stepped up in Washington's absence, producing four double-doubles already with an average of 9.2 boards per night (3rd in Sun Belt) plus 12 points a game (second on team).
Keya Patton and Lauryn Pendleton have also been key contributors, combining to add about 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists and close to three steals a night.
Follow the Delta Devils and Delta Devilettes on Facebook (
Mississippi Valley State Athletics), Twitter (
@MVSUDevilSports) and Instagram (
@MVSUDevilSports).
'#ValleyInMotion | #ForkEm
