HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Mississippi Valley State University men's basketball program watched Lamont Sams drill a three-pointer with three seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime, then Utah Tech pulled the same feat in the extra period, before the Trailblazers outscored the Delta Devils 8-2 in the second OT to escape with a wild 81-75 decision.
 
It was Valley's first overtime contest since February 11, 2024 when they fell to Alabama A&M, also in double overtime, by a score of 70-68.
 
The Basics: 
 

• Score (2 OT)
  • Utah Tech – 81
  • Mississippi Valley – 75

 

• Records
  • Mississippi Valley (1-4, 0-0 SWAC)
  • Utah Tech (3-3, 0-0 WAC)

 

• Location
  • Honolulu, Hawaii – Stan Sheriff Center

 

• Series History
  • Trailblazers Lead 1-0 (0%)

 

• Winning Streak
  • Trailblazers (W1) / Delta Devils' Last Win: N/A

 
Delta Devils' Top Performers: 
 

• Sams, nearly the hero of the evening, almost cobbled together a double-double, scoring ten points and logging eight rebounds as well as blocking one Trailblazers shot attempt.

 

• Daniel Mayfield came close to a double-double also, leading the Delta Devils with nine rebounds while dropping 19 points on UTU along with three assists and a 8-for-13 (61.5%) shooting performance.

 

• Michael James got back into his scoring groove, hitting the 20-point plateau for the third time in five outings, fronting the Green and White's scorers with exactly 20 in the stat sheet.

 

• Patrick Punch accrued every statistic other than a block, topping Valley State in both assists (4) and steals (3) plus he corralled five boards (four offensive) on top of cashing in on one field goal.

 
Next:
  

• Coach Ivory's bunch will attempt to end their week-long stay on a high note when they battle the Manhattan Jaspers at 8:30 p.m. central time Saturday night in the Rainbow Classic finale.

 
Follow the Mississippi Valley State men's basketball program on Twitter (@ValleyStateMBB) and Instagram (@ValleyStateMBB).
 
Follow the Delta Devils / Devilettes on Facebook (Valley State Athletics), Twitter / X (@MVSUDevilSports), and Instagram (@ValleyStateAthletics).