NORMAN, Okla. – The Mississippi Valley State University men's basketball program led the mighty SEC's Sooners for more than seven minutes (7:19) of the ballgame and trailed Oklahoma by mere single digits at the intermission, but the Delta Devils could not sustain its momentum in the second half, ending its non-conference schedule with a 93-69 setback.
 
The Basics: 
 

• Score
  • Oklahoma – 93
  • Mississippi Valley – 69

 

• Records
  • Mississippi Valley (1-13, 0-0 SWAC)
  • Oklahoma (10-3, 0-0 SEC)

 

• Location
  • Norman, Oklahoma – Lloyd Noble Center

 

• Series History (Since 1983)
  • Sooners Lead 4-0 (0%)

 

• Winning Streak
  • Sooners (W4) / Delta Devils' Last Win: N/A

 
Delta Devils' Top Performers: 
 

• Delkedric Holmes gets the nod for Valley's player of the game, setting season-highs with 12 points, a game-best seven assists, and four free throws as well as being one of two Devils to snag multiple steals (2).

 

• Patrick Punch was his best scoring self of 2025, dropping 19 points courtesy of five three-pointers (both personal-highs) plus a team-most four rebounds and the only block as he ended the night by hitting 5-of-8 (62.5%), all from long-range.

 

• Michael James started off relatively slow by his standards via eight points in the first half but turned up the heat in the final 20, winding up tied for the contest's points crown at 24 during his 9-for-18 (50%) showing, 3-for-6 (50%) on triples.

 
Next:
  

• Happy New Year to Delta Devils nation and we will see you on the other side with our SWAC opener on Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. when Coach Ivory's men host the Alabama State Hornets.

  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).