The Mississippi Valley State University women's basketball team battled hard but ultimately fell to the University of Memphis, 89-78, in a thrilling season opener. Despite the loss, Shy'Diamond McKnight was the standout for MVSU, showcasing her skill and leadership on the court with an incredible stat line.

McKnight led the Devilettes with 22 points, shooting 7-of-19 from the field, including 2-of-7 from beyond the arc. She was also a force in drawing fouls, going 6-of-8 from the free-throw line. Beyond her scoring, McKnight filled the stat sheet with 8 assists, 9 steals, and an impressive 9 rebounds, nearly achieving a rare quadruple-double. Her hustle and court vision were evident as she navigated Memphis' defense, creating scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.

MVSU's resilience was clear, especially in the second half, where they kept pace with Memphis by scoring 23 points in each of the third and fourth quarters. McKnight's all-around performance, paired with her leadership on both ends of the floor, gave the Devilettes a strong foundation to build upon for the rest of the season.

As the Devilettes move forward, they'll look to capitalize on McKnight's playmaking ability and leadership, hoping to turn close games into wins as they continue their challenging non-conference slate.