ITTA BENA, Miss. -  Mississippi Valley State University's men's basketball falls short to Alabama State University in a 54-51 crushing defeat at the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex on Saturday night, opening Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play.
 
As the score is tied at 48 in the second half with 31 seconds remaining, Arecko Gipsdon drained a 3-point basket and was fouled with an opportunity to extend the 51-48 MVSU lead, but missed the free throw.
 
With 6.4 seconds remaining on the clock, Alabama State guard TJ Madlock was fouled as he hit a shot in the lane to tie the game at 51 a piece. Madlock clinches the free throw to give ASU the lead 52-51.

Following a timeout, MVSU turned the ball over and ASU ended the game on an Amarr Knox dunk as seconds exhaust off the clock to end the game.
 
Four Delta Devils score in double figures. Donovan Sanders had a team high 11 points and three rebounds. Danny Washington scored a season 10 points and three rebounds. 
 
Rayquan Brown and Arecko Gipson both finished with double doubles. Brown scored 10 points and collected 11 rebounds and Gipson scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
 
How It Happened

• The lead saw four lead changes and seven ties with Mississippi Valley State held as much as a five-point lead with 6:37 in the second half. Alabama State holding as much as an eight-point lead (4:27 in the first half). 
• Mississippi Valley State finished the night shooting 42.5 (17-of-40) percent from the floor and 38.5 (5-of-13) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 66.7 (12-of-18) percent from the free throw line.
• The Hornets won the rebounding battle 38-33 and forced 16 turnovers.
• Four MVSU players scored in double digits.

UP NEXT
The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils will host Alabama A&M University on Monday January 8th, 2023, at 7:30 PM.

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