GRAMBLING, Louisiana - Mississippi Valley State University's men's basketball face tough 81-71 loss to Grambling State University at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center on Saturday evening.

The first half set the stage for the intense defensive showdown, with the Delta Devils trailing the Tigers 19-12 as they headed into halftime. However, Mississippi Valley State emerged from the locker room with a high energy, swiftly erasing GSU's halftime lead and seizing control with a 25-24 advantage and 13:17 left on the clock.

As the game progressed into the second half, the momentum swung back and forth like a pendulum, with seven lead changes keeping fans on the edge of their seats. With 4:27 remaining, the Tigers surged ahead, establishing a commanding 46-35 lead, their first double-digit advantage of the game.

Yet, the Delta Devils refused to go away, mounting a comeback in the closing minutes. Closing the deficit to a mere three points, with the scoreboard reading 49-46 and just over a minute left to play, but the Tigers managed to hit clutch free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

The game's defensive narrative was displayed by both teams. Mississippi Valley State's defensive tenacity was evident, forcing 21 turnovers, including 11 steals, disrupting the Tigers' offensive rhythm throughout the game.

Leading the charge for the Delta Devils was Rayquan Brown, whose stellar performance included 18 points, accompanied by four rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Arecko Gipson contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, while Donovan Sanders led MVSU with a game-high four steals, adding eight points to MVSU's effort.

Up next: The Delta Devils will travel to Southern University on Monday January 29, 2024. The game is scheduled for 7:30PM.

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