ITTA BENA, Miss. – The Mississippi Valley State University men's basketball program had its most efficient shooting night (26-of-48, 54.2%) and highest number of blocked shots (6) while also forcing a season-high 16 turnovers against NCAA Division I competition, but a lack of depth caught up to the Green and White during a 88-64 loss opposite Tarleton State.
 
The Basics: 
 

• Score
  • Tarleton State – 88
  • Mississippi Valley – 64

 

• Records
  • Mississippi Valley (1-10, 0-0 SWAC)
  • Tarleton State (8-4, 0-0 WAC)

 

• Location
  • Itta Bena, Mississippi – R.W. Harrison HPER Complex

 

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

 

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

 
Delta Devils' Top Performers: 
 

• Lamont Sams set a physical tone in the paint with a 2025-best three blocks to lead all players, posting eight points, four rebounds, and two assists as well.

 

• Patrick Punch is starting to gain confidence as a point producer, setting personal-highs of 15 points and five field goals (5-of-9, 55.6%) whereas Chance Sutton also logged his most points so far via a half-dozen.

 

• Michael James recorded a typical high-quality stat line of 27 points (11-for-16, 68.8%) including a trio of treys (3-for-5, 60%), a team-high five rebounds and four steals, plus a quartet of dimes.

 

• X'Zaevion Barnett did not score but was responsible for setting up a tied for contest-most six assists.

 
Next:
  

• Valley State will travel to Tallahassee on Friday, but not to face the Rattlers of FAMU per usual, this time it will be a 6 p.m. central time tilt at Florida State University.

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